Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba at the presidential palace in Ankara. The leaders held a bilateral meeting to discuss various areas of cooperation between Turkey and Libya.
The discussions also included efforts to support the Palestinian cause. The meeting was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Libyan Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Adel Jumaa.
According to a statement from Dbaiba’s media office, Erdoğan praised Libya’s stance at the International Court of Justice, noting its alignment with Turkey’s position.
Both leaders reviewed joint cooperation in various fields and followed up on the outcomes of previous meetings between Dbeibah and Erdoğan. They emphasised the importance of supporting the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and coordinating with relevant countries to achieve elections based on fair and transparent laws.
The meeting also covered developmental cooperation, agreeing on several projects that serve the interests of both nations.
Additionally, they planned to convene the Libyan-Turkish Strategic Cooperation Council, chaired by both sides, in Tripoli in the near future.
Last week, Güven Begeç was appointed as Turkey’s new ambassador to Libya, succeeding Kenan Yilmaz. This decision, officially signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, signifies a strategic adjustment in Turkey’s diplomatic engagement with Libya.
Kenan Yilmaz, who served as Turkey’s ambassador since April 2021, played a crucial role in strengthening Turkish-Libyan relations. During his three-year tenure, Yilmaz worked on various initiatives, including visits to Benghazi which indicated a diplomatic thaw with eastern Libyan factions led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. His efforts also included discussions on resuming suspended Turkish projects and reopening the Turkish consulate in Benghazi.
Güven Begeç, the new appointee, brings extensive diplomatic experience, having previously served as Turkey’s Deputy Director General for International Political Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His appointment is expected to enhance bilateral ties further, with a focus on economic cooperation, infrastructure projects, and regional stability.
