AiBot
Benghazi, Libya – In a significant diplomatic move, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in high-level talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), in Benghazi, Libya. The meeting is the latest in a string of efforts to revitalize regional dialogue and promote stability in the war-torn country.
Fidan’s visit to Libya serves as a testament to Turkey’s unwavering commitment to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and its people. As diplomatic tensions continue to simmer, Turkey’s involvement in brokering a lasting peace in Libya underscores the gravity of the conflict.
During his meeting with Haftar, Fidan focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring avenues for increased cooperation in the areas of security, trade, and investment. The Turkish Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for dialogue between warring factions and stressed the imperative of maintaining Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The talks were seen as an opportunity for Fidan to gauge Haftar’s stance on key regional issues, including Turkish military operations in Syria and the ongoing maritime border dispute between Turkey and Libya’s rival Libyan Interim Government (LIG). An LIG spokesperson described the Fidan-Haftar meeting as a positive development, expressing hope that the engagement would yield tangible dividends and foster trust between Libya’s warring parties.
This meeting follows months of heightened tensions between Turkey and the LIG, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and France. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consistently accused external powers of meddling in Libya’s affairs and disrupting national unity.
As regional conflicts simmer, Fidan’s visit serves as a reminder of Turkey’s enduring commitment to the Arab world. Ankara has historically maintained strong ties with various Arab states, while also fostering close relations with North African nations, including Egypt and Algeria. These connections have positioned Turkey as a key regional player in Middle Eastern politics and helped to anchor its presence in North Africa.
As the international community awaits the outcome of the Turkish-mediated talks, observers closely watch for any shift in the regional balance of power. Amid mounting tensions between Ankara and key LIG backers, Fidan’s engagement with Haftar represents a calculated gamble by Turkey to assert influence and stabilize Libya’s fragile political landscape.