France Suspends Naval Mission Off The Coast Of Libya As Turkish Tensions Rise

France 24: France suspends role in NATO naval mission over tensions with Turkey

France has informed NATO that it is suspending its involvement in a naval operation in the Mediterranean after the results of a probe into an incident between French and Turkish warships, an official at the Armed Forces ministry said on Wednesday.

The official said in a letter to NATO's Secretary-General that France had made four demands to clarify the role of the Sea Guardian operation, including its cooperation with an EU mission that is enforcing a UN arms embargo to Libya.

Ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have soured in recent weeks over Libya, Northern Syria and drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.

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More News On France Suspending Naval Mission Off The Coast Of Libya As Turkish Tensions Rise

France pulls out of NATO naval mission in the Mediterranean -- Politico
France suspends role in Nato Mediterranean mission after incident with Turkey -- Middle East Monitor
France suspends role in NATO naval mission after Turkey tensions -- Al Jazeera

France Confirms The Presence Of Special Forces In Libya After 3 Special forces Soldiers Were Killed

NBC: France Confirms Deaths of 3 Soldiers in Libya, Presence of Special Forces

Three French soldiers have been killed on a mission in Libya, the country's defense ministry said Wednesday.

The news came after the government earlier confirmed it had special forces operating in the North African nation.

Authorities did not provide details on the non-commissioned officers' deaths, saying only that they were killed while serving in Libya.

It saluted their "courage and dedication" in a short statement and extended condolences to their loved ones.

French media reported that the trio were killed when their helicopter was shot down.

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More News On France Confirming The Presence Of Special Forces In Libya After 3 Special forces Soldiers Were Killed

Three French soldiers killed in Libya -- France 24
France confirms troops in Libya after three die in combat -- The Local.fr
France says 3 soldiers killed during anti-terror mission in Libya -- Washington Post
France: 3 French Soldiers Killed While on Duty in Libya -- AP
Three French soldiers killed in Libya as government acknowledges it has troops fighting Isil -- Telegraph
France admits special forces soldiers killed in Libya -- RFI
Libya attack: French soldiers killed in Benghazi helicopter crash -- BBC
Three French soldiers die during secret mission in Libya -- DW
France Says Three Soldiers Killed in Libya While on Secret Mission -- Time
3 French Soldiers Killed in Libya as Defense, Foreign Ministers Plan Next Steps against ISIS -- Asharq Al Awsaq
French Government Spokesman Confirms Special Forces Presence in Libya -- Sputnik
France confirms troop presence in Libya after 3 soldiers killed on intel mission -- RT

Le Monde Newspaper: French Special Forces Are Waging A 'Secret War' In Libya

French soldiers are already operating in Mali, Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic ©Philippe Desmazes (AFP)

Reuters: French special forces waging 'secret war' in Libya: report

French special forces and intelligence commandos are engaged in covert operations against Islamic State militants in Libya in conjunction with the United States and Britain, the French newspaper Le Monde reported on Wednesday.

It said President Francois Hollande had authorized "unofficial military action" by both an elite armed forces unit and the covert action service of the DGSE intelligence agency in the conflict-ridden North African state, which has two rival governments and largely ungoverned desert spaces.

What Le Monde called "France's secret war in Libya" involved occasional targeted strikes against leaders of the ultra-radical Islamist group, prepared by discreet action on the ground, to try to slow its growth in Libya.

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WNU Editor: Libya officials have also confirmed these reports .... Libya Officials: French Special Forces on Ground Fighting IS (AP).

More News On Reports That French Special Forces Are Waging A 'Secret War' In Libya

French special forces reportedly among effort against Isis in Libya -- The Guardian
France special forces waging 'secret war' against Isil in Libya -- The Telegraph
French Special Forces in Libya: report -- AFP
France 'in secret war against Isis in Libya' -- The Local.fr
Is Paris Conducting Covert Anti-Daesh Operations in Libya? -- Sputnik
France waging secret war in Libya - report -- RT