Libya’s eastern commander, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, is preparing for a landmark visit to Türkiye, signaling a dramatic shift in relations between the two sides after years of hostility and military confrontation. The visit, expected to take place later this month, follows a high-level meeting in Benghazi between Haftar and Türkiye’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalın, during which Kalın extended an invitation that Haftar accepted in principle. Although the exact date remains flexible due to developments on the ground, the planned trip is widely seen as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and a strategic pivot in regional diplomacy.
For years, Türkiye supported the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, while Haftar’s Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) opposed it militarily, backed by rival powers such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The thaw in relations reflects a broader recalibration of regional alliances and a growing recognition of the need for pragmatic engagement. Türkiye has recently intensified efforts to build ties with Libya’s eastern authorities, including lobbying the Tobruk-based parliament to ratify a 2019 maritime delimitation agreement. This deal, signed with the Tripoli government, grants Türkiye and Libya shared rights over contested Mediterranean waters and has drawn criticism from Greece and Egypt, who have urged Haftar to reject it.
Despite the geopolitical tensions surrounding the maritime agreement, recent developments suggest that Libya’s eastern parliament may be reconsidering its position. A technical committee has been formed to review the deal, indicating a possible shift toward compromise. Haftar’s son and deputy, Saddam Haftar, has played a key role in laying the groundwork for this rapprochement, attending defense exhibitions and holding meetings with Turkish officials over the past year. These engagements have helped build trust and open channels for cooperation in areas such as energy, security, and infrastructure.
Türkiye’s resumption of direct flights to Benghazi and the return of Turkish contractors to eastern Libya further underscore the momentum behind this diplomatic breakthrough. For Libya, the visit could pave the way for greater economic recovery and reconstruction, while for Türkiye, it offers a chance to expand its influence and secure strategic interests in North Africa. Haftar’s upcoming trip is more than a political gesture, it represents a turning point in a complex relationship shaped by conflict, competition, and the evolving dynamics of regional power.