On Thursday, the Director-General of the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund, Belgassim Haftar, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara.
According to a statement from the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund’s media office, the two officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between their countries.
In remarks to Sky News published on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Fidan stated that Turkey’s relations with eastern Libya are progressing very well. He emphasized Ankara’s desire to revive a unified and independent Libyan state, bringing together the eastern and western regions.
“Libyan Speaker of the House of Representatives Ageela Saleh has visited our country multiple times. We are in contact with Khalifa Haftar, hold discussions with his sons, and have reopened our consulate in the east,” Fidan said. “The question is, how can we use these relationships to unite the east with the west? This is our current focus.”
Fidan also mentioned that Turkey is in communication with Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar, conducting talks aimed at achieving lasting peace and national unity in Libya, with the involvement of the United Nations as well.
The meeting between Belgassim Haftar and Hakan Fidan highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Libya and Turkey. This cooperation is seen as crucial for the stabilization and reconstruction of Libya, a country that has been embroiled in conflict since the 2011 revolution.
Turkey has played a significant role in Libya, particularly supporting the former Government of National Accord (GNA) in the west. However, Turkey has increasingly sought to engage with the eastern factions, including figures associated with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. This balanced approach aims to foster a comprehensive peace process and national reconciliation.
The reopening of the Turkish consulate in eastern Libya signifies Turkey’s commitment to deepening its involvement and influence across the entire country. By engaging with leaders from both the east and west, Turkey hopes to mediate and facilitate dialogue that could lead to a more stable and unified Libya.
Turkey’s strategic interests in Libya are multifaceted, including political influence, economic opportunities, and regional security. Enhanced cooperation in development and reconstruction efforts could lead to significant investments in infrastructure, energy, and other vital sectors, benefiting both nations.
