This is the first such announcement since Ankara sent troops to back the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself announced the death of his soldiers in Libya, adding that there were Syrian National Army troops alongside them reinforcing a military co-operation  treaty signed between Turkey and Libya.

Last months Berlin summit that agreed hostilities should stop on Libya so that the political peace process  could take place has evidently broken down.

Rebel leader Khalifa Haftar, backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, claims to have killed at least 16 Turkish troops as he defends advances his forces have made in capturing Tripoli.

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He was speaking a day after Turkey’s President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan said he was ready to send troop to back Libya’s weak government.

The power dynamic in North Africa, thrown into disarray by the fall of Muammar Gadaffi eight years ago,  has taken a turn with Turkey signing a security agreement with the Libyan Government.

Ankara wants to increase its influence in the increasingly insecure Mediterranean region with a view to accessing its energy resources.

This latest move by Khalifa Haftar, who’s militia has threatened Tripoli for months, will put to the test Turkey’s will to back the promises it is making with  military muscle.

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The follows a threat by the Turkish security forces to attack the rebels and anyone threatening their ships or interests.

It is not clear when and how rebel leader Khalifa Haftar’s  militiamen kidnapped the  Turkish sailors.

The Libyan rebel leader, bent on taking the capital Tripoli, is angered by Turkey’s support for the internationally-recognized Libyan army, threatening  military action.

A statement from Ankara called the abduction thuggery and piracy by illegal militia forces and vowed to retaliate in the most effective and strong way to rescue their nationals.

The sailors have rejected an offer to go home and opted to continue their duties in Libya

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Protestors says its a charter for pedophiles, although the authorities maintain its designed to help legal challenges caused by widespread child marriage in the poorer rural parts of the country.

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Protestors are demanding the Bill be torn up.

A least three thousand people gathered in central Istanbul and large numbers were evident in Ankara, Izmir and Trabzon.

They’re saying the Bill proposed by the ruling  Justice and Development Party (AKP) legitimises  rape.

If it becomes law, men who sexually abused girls under 18 without force, threat or any restriction on consent over the past 11 years  and marry them could have their convictions quashed or avoid prosecution.

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