Turkish president hosts Libyan PM in Ankara to strengthen bilateral relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Wednesday, Turkish state media reports.

Discussions reportedly focused on regional and global issues, bilateral relations, and shared interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The closed-door meeting was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalın.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in energy, security, and maritime affairs. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s recognition of Libya’s Government of National Unity as the “legitimate interlocutor” and pledged to maintain close cooperation to safeguard mutual interests in the region.

Turkish Airlines resumed flights from Istanbul to Benghazi this week after a decade-long suspension caused by security concerns in Libya.

Libya remains embroiled in factional struggles more than a decade after the death of Muammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country has two governments vying for control of Libya’s vast oil reserves. Turkey supports the U.N.-recognized government in Tripoli whereas Egypt, the UAE, and Russia support the eastern-based government controlled by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.

Elections were schedule to take place in December 2021 but were canceled after disputes over the eligibility of the candidates.

In December, the U.N. announced a new initiative aimed at breaking the three-year political stalemate and paving the way for national elections.