Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar met with Greek Ambassador Ioannis Papaioannou and Greek Consul General in Benghazi Athanasius Anastopoulos on October 4, 2026, to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation. The meeting, which took place at Haftar's office in Benghazi, was attended by Haftar's son, Khalid. According to a statement released by Haftar's office, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in various fields, including the latest developments on the local and international scenes.
The meeting between Haftar and the Greek diplomats comes amid efforts by Greece to strengthen its relations with Libya. In July 2024, Haftar praised Libyan-Greek relations and the development of good-neighborly relations and friendship between the two countries. The Greek ambassador and consul general also met with Haftar's predecessor, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
One of the key areas of cooperation between Libya and Greece is the delimitation of maritime boundaries. Greece has been intensifying discussions with Libya to reach an agreement on the demarcation of maritime boundaries and the determination of exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea. This move is seen as a response to a maritime agreement between the former Libyan government and Turkey signed in 2019.
The maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey has been disputed by Greece, which argues that it ignores Greek islands such as Crete. The European Union and Egypt have also expressed concerns over the agreement, considering it null and void. Despite the Libyan parliament not ratifying the agreement, Turkey asserts that it is still in effect.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in May that Athens had agreed to proceed with discussions within technical committees on the demarcation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. The talks aim to resolve disputes over maritime boundaries and establish a framework for cooperation between the two countries.
A Libyan parliamentary delegation visited Greece to discuss cooperation in areas such as migration, economy, and health. The delegation's visit was aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries and exploring opportunities for cooperation. The talks also touched on the need to activate joint frameworks between Libya and Greece.
The meeting between Haftar and the Greek diplomats reflects the efforts of both countries to strengthen their relations and enhance cooperation in various fields. The two sides emphasized the importance of working together to address common challenges and promote mutual interests. Key issues discussed included migration, economic cooperation, and security.
Key points
- Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar met with Greek Ambassador Ioannis Papaioannou to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation.
- Greece and Libya are intensifying discussions on the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the determination of exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea.
- A Libyan parliamentary delegation visited Greece to discuss cooperation in areas such as migration, economy, and health.
