Libya Foreign Relations

Qatar has significantly increased its diplomatic and political presence in Libya, engaging with key political and military figures in both Tripoli and Benghazi. During a two-day visit, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi met with Libyan officials including eastern military leader Saddam Haftar and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Discussions focused on enhancing political, economic, and military cooperation, supporting reconstruction efforts, and promoting stability. This marks Qatar's first high-level visit to Benghazi since Libya's political split 14 years ago, signaling a strategic outreach to all Libyan factions.

Saddam Haftar, Libya's Deputy Commander of the National Army, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signaling a strategic engagement amid intense US-Russia competition for influence in Libya. Putin expressed support for Libya's institutional unity and stability, praising the military's role. Haftar emphasized deep Libya-Russia ties and cooperation across sectors. Analysts view the meeting as legitimizing Haftar's political role and balancing international partnerships, reflecting Libya's position at a geopolitical crossroads. Russia continues to expand its military presence, while the US pursues diplomatic initiatives to resolve Libya's division.

Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi met with French President's special envoy Paul Solier in Tripoli to prioritize unifying Libya's military institutions. Discussions also covered political and economic developments, including enhancing Libya-France cooperation and exploring a direct economic link between Tripoli and Paris. The talks align with Libya's tripartite political roadmap aiming to end transitional phases and hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections by February 2027. France reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations amid ongoing domestic challenges in Libya.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Khalifa Haftar, commander of Libya's eastern forces, reaffirming Egypt's commitment to Libya's unity and institutional unification. The meeting emphasized support for parliamentary and presidential elections and highlighted Egypt's role in promoting security, stability, and development in Libya. This engagement follows a recent meeting between Sisi and Libya's internationally recognized Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, reflecting Egypt's ongoing efforts to mediate between Libya's divided eastern and western administrations.

Tunisia has extended its security buffer zone in the southern border regions, including areas adjacent to Libya, for an additional year starting August 29. Established in 2013 following terrorist attacks and political assassinations, the zone restricts access without prior authorization and empowers security forces to use all lawful means, including weapons, to enforce compliance. The extension aims to strengthen control over smuggling, illegal migration, and terrorist movements in the desert border areas, reflecting ongoing regional security challenges.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Tripoli to focus on unifying Libya's institutions amid ongoing political and military divisions. The talks, part of Fidan's two-day visit including Benghazi, addressed regional security, political developments, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. Turkey aims to engage with all Libyan factions to support stability and economic collaboration, particularly in energy and construction sectors, while backing UN-led efforts for transparent elections and political progress.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed Turkey's commitment to supporting efforts to unify Libya's divided institutions during his visit to Libya. Meeting with key Libyan figures including Khalifa Haftar and interim government leaders, Fidan emphasized Turkey's readiness to coordinate international efforts and back the U.S.-led initiative aimed at ending institutional divisions. The visit marks increased Turkish engagement with various Libyan power centers, reflecting a shift from its previous close ties mainly with western Libya's former government.

Libya and Tunisia have agreed to prepare for upcoming bilateral discussions focused on developing economic, technical, and energy cooperation programs. The Libyan acting foreign minister, Taher Al-Baour, and his Tunisian counterpart, Mohamed Ali Nafti, emphasized collaboration in energy and renewable resources amid rising electricity demand and grid failures in both countries. Tunisia reaffirmed its commitment to Libya's security and stability through a UN-backed Libyan-led solution. Both nations continue to rely heavily on natural gas for electricity, with renewable energy contributions remaining limited despite significant regional potential.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara with Abdul Salam Al-Zoubi, Deputy Defense Minister of Libya's Interim Government of National Unity, and Ibrahim Dbeibeh, National Security Advisor to the Libyan Prime Minister. The meetings followed talks with Imad Al-Trabulsi, Libya's Interior Ministry appointee, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination on shared security concerns. The Libyan Interim Government has not disclosed details of the visit, which coincides with renewed armed clashes in western Libya's coastal cities of Zawiya and Sorman.

Libya's acting Interior Minister Imad Al-Trabelsi met with Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çevikçi in Ankara to enhance bilateral security cooperation and ease visa and residency procedures for Libyan citizens in Turkey. The discussions covered training, information exchange, combating drugs and illegal migration, and border security. Both sides agreed to hold the third joint security cooperation committee meeting before year-end to review progress and plan future collaboration. The visit also included meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other senior officials to strengthen overall bilateral relations.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met in El Alamein to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy, electricity grid interconnection, and petroleum exploration. Both leaders emphasized the historical ties and the importance of expanding collaboration in infrastructure, trade, and investment. The meeting included plans to activate coordination between executive bodies, update existing agreements, and prepare new memoranda of understanding. They also agreed to organize a Libyan-Egyptian economic forum to promote joint projects and economic partnerships.

Libya's General Command, led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Pakistani military, including a $4 billion arms deal. The deal involves the purchase of 16 JF-17 multirole fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft. The agreement aims to enhance military training and capabilities. Concurrently, Pakistan has initiated mediation efforts between Libya's rival authorities in Benghazi and Tripoli, seeking to facilitate a political agreement and increase Islamabad's diplomatic influence in the region.

The Libyan-Italian joint committee held its seventh meeting in Rome to strengthen bilateral cooperation in maritime security and logistics support. Discussions focused on improving the operational readiness of Libya's Coast Guard through equipment upgrades, specialized crew training, and maintenance support. Both sides emphasized continued coordination to combat illegal migration and smuggling, aiming to enhance security and stability in the Mediterranean region.

Libyan House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh met with Giulio Centemero, President of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, in Benghazi to discuss enhancing parliamentary dialogue and institutional partnerships. The meeting included signing memorandums of understanding for strategic cooperation between the Libyan parliament, the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, and the Asian-African Parliamentary Council. The Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly comprises 43 countries and promotes democracy, political dialogue, and Euro-Mediterranean integration on security, economic, and climate issues.

Taher Al-Baour, acting head of Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Abdullah bin Dakhil Allah Al-Salmi, Saudi chargé d'affaires in Libya, to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation across political, economic, and developmental fields, reflecting the deep brotherly relations between Libya and Saudi Arabia. Both sides emphasized continued coordination in regional and international forums, rejecting foreign interference in Libya, and supporting efforts to promote security and stability in the region.