Aguila Saleh, the head of the Libyan Parliament, was in Turkey this Wednesday, December 13, where he was received by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit marks a new stage in reconciliation efforts between Ankara and the political authorities in eastern Libya, a country divided between two rival governments. Turkey, which is even attempting mediation efforts, is striving to preserve its many interests in Libya.
1 min
With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer
Turkey continues its rapprochement with the political authorities in eastern Libya. Last month, Turkey’s deputy foreign minister was in Benghazi to discuss the reopening of the Turkish consulate there. In July, it was the Turkish ambassador to Libya who appeared alongside Khalifa Haftar, strongman from the east of the country, leader of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), whom Ankara officially refuses to recognize.
Last year, in August, Aguila Saleh had already traveled to Ankara for high-level contacts. The head of the Libyan Parliament, based in the east of the country, is nevertheless known for his opposition to two agreements that Turkey considers essential: the one which authorizes the presence of Turkish soldiers in Libya and a maritime delimitation agreement, both signed in 2019 with the government of Tripoli.
While continuing to support the authorities in Tripoli, recognized by the international community, Ankara continues to develop its relations with the East. As part of a possible inter-Libyan reconciliation, in a country where it has major economic and strategic interests, Turkey must now not alienate any party.
Read alsoLibya and Turkey conclude two new military agreements