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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced military backing for Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), now that the north African country requested it.

In a speech in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan said that he will on January 7 present a bill to the Turkish parliament on deployment legislation, Al Jazeera reported. 

"We will present the motion to send troops [to Libya] as soon as parliament resumes," Erdogan said.

"God willing, we will pass it in parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond to an invitation" from the Tripoli-based GNA, he said.

Last month, Turkish and Libyan officials, led by GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, signed a memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation.

The GNA's cabinet of ministers and Turkish legislators have since ratified the deal, but a separate motion is needed to send troops.

Thursday's announcement came a day after Erdogan met with his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied, during a surprise visit to the Tunisian capital to discuss developments in neighbouring Libya .

Erdogan told reporters in Tunis that the two leaders discussed ways to establish a ceasefire and bring warring factions back to the negotiating table.

Erdogan reiterated Turkey's willingness to send troops to support the GNA, saying Ankara would do so at the Libyan government's request.