Turkey has hosted talks between Libya's eastern and western factions in an effort to unify the country's institutions. The talks, which took place in the Turkish capital Ankara, involved military officials and diplomats from both sides. According to a Turkish official, the talks focused primarily on unifying the military, with political unification to be discussed at a later stage. The official added that Turkey will continue to play a mediating role between the two sides.
The talks come as Turkey seeks to improve relations with both eastern and western Libya. Turkey has maintained relations with western Libya since 2019, but its relations with eastern Libya have improved in recent years. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has played a key role in mediating between the two sides, with a notable meeting between him and Libyan officials in May. The talks also follow a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said that it was time to reunify Libya's rival governments.
The Turkish-brokered talks are part of a broader effort to reunify Libya, which has been plagued by conflict and division since 2011. The United States and the United Nations are also working to bring the rival governments together. According to a foreign observer, Turkey's position is aligned with that of the United States, and there is no significant conflict between their approaches. The observer noted that European countries, particularly France and Italy, are divided on the issue.
The plans for reunification, known as the "Polus plan," involve Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibah remaining in office, while Sadam Hifter, deputy commander of the Libyan National Army, takes over as president of the presidential council. The plan has been met with some resistance, but it is seen as a key step towards reunifying the country.
In a related development, the Libyan parliament recently approved a maritime border agreement with Turkey, which has sparked criticism from European countries and Egypt. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the agreement, saying that it was based on international law and did not target any country's interests. The agreement is seen as a significant development in Turkey's relations with Libya and the wider region.
The talks between Libya's eastern and western factions are ongoing, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions. Turkey is likely to remain a key player in the process, given its close relations with both sides. The country's role in promoting reunification has been welcomed by some, but others have expressed concerns about its growing influence in the region.
The reunification of Libya is seen as crucial to stabilizing the country and promoting economic growth. The country's oil and gas reserves make it an important player in the global energy market, and its stability has significant implications for regional and global security. The talks between Libya's eastern and western factions are a key step towards achieving this goal, and Turkey's role in promoting reunification is likely to continue.
Key points
- Turkey has hosted talks between Libya's eastern and western factions to unify the country's institutions.
- The talks focused primarily on unifying the military, with political unification to be discussed at a later stage.
- Turkey's role in promoting reunification has been welcomed by some, but others have expressed concerns about its growing influence in the region.
