Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the North African country¡¯s conflict at the center of wider regional frictions.

Libya¡¯s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has been struggling to fend off Gen. Khalifa Hifter¡¯s forces, which have been supported by Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan.

An official in Tripoli confirmed a formal request had been made for Turkish military support in the air, on the ground and at sea.