Taher Al-Baour, Acting Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office in Libya, received Turkish Ambassador to Libya Güven Begeç in a meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various fields.
During the meeting, both sides emphasised the deep historical and strategic ties between Libya and Turkey, stressing the importance of joint efforts to strengthen partnerships that serve mutual interests.
Al-Baour expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s role in supporting stability efforts in Libya, underlining the need to expand avenues of cooperation to advance development and progress.
Ambassador Güven Begeç reiterated Turkey’s commitment to continuing its support for Libya in building a sustainable future. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening economic, political, and cultural collaboration to achieve security and stability in the region.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.