The Turkish parliament voted to authorize troop deployments to Libya during an emergency session. The forces will support the UN-backed government in Tripoli against a rival government led by General Khalifa Haftar.

The Turkish government signed a military deal with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj last month which allows Turkey to send in support if requested. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sarraj made an official request, yet, that hasn’t been verified by the government in Tripoli.

While on a two-day visit to Egypt this week, Haftar reportedly asked Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi for help saying that if Sisi sent in troops to support Haftar’s forces, the Libyan capital would be taken in a matter of hours. Haftar also reportedly demanded help to stop Turkish forces from entering Libya.

The UN-recognized government of Sarraj has the support of Turkey, Qatar, and Italy while Haftar has received support from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France, and Russia.

Turkey has not given any details regarding possible troop deployments but Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stated they would not send in troops if Haftar's forces stopped their offensive.

Last April, Haftar's forces launched an offensive against Tripoli, reaching the outskirts of the city. Haftar failed to capture the city. The crisis remains at a stalemate.