TURKEY’S authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed late on Sunday that troops have started mobilising to Libya to support the Tripoli-based government of national accord (GNA).

It comes days after MPs in Turkey’s grand assembly approved the deployment of military units to Libya to support the GNA, one of the country’s two rival administrations.

It faces a challenge from the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar, who has ordered his troops to advance on the capital.

Fighting between the rival forces has intensified with 30 killed in an air strike on a GNA military academy on Saturday and skirmishes taking place on the outskirts of Tripoli.

On Friday Gen Haftar, who has received backing from Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, called on Libyans to take up arms against Turkey’s anticipated military intervention.

“We accept the challenge and declare jihad and a call to arms,” he declared in a televised address.

But Mr Erdogan insisted Turkey’s role was “not to fight” but “to support the legitimate government and avoid a humanitarian tragedy.”

He said: “Our soldiers’ duty there is co-ordination. They will develop the operation centre there. Our soldiers are gradually going right now.”

On Saturday the eastern-based parliament, which backs the LNA, voted unanimously against Turkey’s interference in Libya.