Latest news with #KhalifaHaftar
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Ankara's Ties with Haftar's Administration Strengthen
Relations between Turkey and the administration of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar have seen significant improvement in recent months, according to a report published by the Turkish daily Zaman. The report highlights a high-level meeting that took place on Sunday between the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, and Turkish Consul Serkan Kırmanlıoğlu. The meeting, held near the city of Benghazi, was also attended by General Khairy Al-Tamimi, a prominent figure within the LNA leadership. Discussions reportedly focused on the reopening of the Turkish Consulate in Benghazi, with both sides exploring ways to restore consular services for residents of eastern Libya. According to Zaman, this step reflects a new chapter in the evolving relationship between Ankara and Libya's eastern-based authorities. After years of political and military rivalry, diplomatic contacts between the two sides have intensified, signaling a policy shift by Turkey toward engaging all Libyan factions. The report noted that Saddam Haftar's visit to Ankara in April marked a turning point. During his trip, he met with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and senior commanders in the Turkish Armed Forces, underscoring a willingness to explore future military and political cooperation. Turkey had closed its Benghazi consulate years ago due to ongoing conflict in the region. Historically, Ankara was considered a strong supporter of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU). However, recent diplomatic initiatives suggest a more balanced Turkish approach aimed at building ties with all sides in Libya. Reopening the consulate in Benghazi is expected to pave the way for broader collaboration and symbolizes a practical and strategic step forward in the Turkey-Haftar relationship. Tags: benghazikhalifa haftarlibyaSaddam HaftarTurkey
Libya Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Libya and Tunisia activists plan Gaza-bound Maghreb Solidarity Fleet
Activist coalitions from Libya and Tunisia have announced plans to launch a maritime mission—dubbed the Maghreb Solidarity Fleet—to challenge the blockade on Gaza. In a joint statement, the coordinators said preparations are under way for the voyage, after an overland attempt by the Convoy of Steadfastness was halted by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar at the western entrance to the city of Sirte. The group, which included participants from across the Maghreb, was forced to return to Tunisia. A press conference is scheduled for Monday, 14 July, where organisers will unveil further details of the upcoming mission. The earlier land convoy, which began in June, was denied passage to Egypt through Libya, reportedly due to the lack of required entry visas. The planned maritime initiative is the latest in a series of regional efforts aimed at expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid worsening humanitarian conditions under the ongoing blockade. Tags: Gaza Gaza support convoy Maghreb Solidarity Fleet
Libya Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
New EU delegation to meet Haftar after previous one expelled
European Union (EU) leaders have agreed to send a new diplomatic delegation to Libya, following Khalifa Haftar's request for the previous EU delegation to leave Libyan territory in recent days. The decision was made during a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, on the sidelines of the 'Ukraine Recovery Conference' hosted in the Italian capital, Rome, on Thursday, according to Euronews. According to Euronews, the leaders emphasized the importance of 're-engaging with Libya' as a key partner on issues of migration, energy, and regional security. They also stressed the need to revive the 'Team Europe' initiative by sending a new diplomatic delegation, including representatives from the European Commission, as well as ministers from Mediterranean EU countries — Greece, Italy, and Malta. This European move comes after rising tensions between the EU mission and the parallel government and Haftar's forces, following their refusal on July 8 to receive EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner and the interior ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta. Their aircraft had landed at Benghazi International Airport that evening, but Haftar had conditioned the meeting on the presence of ministers from the parallel government — a demand the delegation refused. Tags: European Union illegal immigration parallel Government
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
EU leaders agree to send delegation to Libya after previous group expelled from country
BRUSSELS — European Union leaders have agreed to send a new diplomatic delegation to Libya after the military leader Khalifa Haftar asked the previous representatives to leave the country. Speaking on the sidelines of On the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abella said it was important to re-engage with Libya. The four leaders agreed on the need to reactivate the Team Europe initiative, with a delegation from the European Commission, as well as ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta, to be re-deployed to Libya. Team Europe consists of the European Union, EU Member States, as well as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and aims to be a coordinated approach to solving problems. The Rome talks come after military leader Khalifa Haftar, who holds de facto power in large parts of eastern Libya, orchestrated a meeting on Tuesday as a means of "trapping" an EU delegation into recognising the legitimacy of the Benghazi-led Libyan administration, a source familiar with the issue told Euronews. The delegation was declared "personae non grata" and asked to leave Libyan territory upon arrival at the airport of mission included Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Maltese Interior Minister Byron Camilleri, Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum Athanasios Plevris, and EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola mission travelled to eastern Libya after meeting in Tripoli with representatives of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the internationally recognised executive led by Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, which controls Tripoli and western diplomatic incident risked complicating Europe's efforts to prevent a wave of irregular migration from Libya to have surged in recent weeks to such an extent that Greece decided on Wednesday to temporarily suspend asylum requests for those arriving from North Africa by than 500 people were transferred to the port of Lavrio near Athens earlier on Thursday after being intercepted south of the island of transfers to the mainland were ordered because makeshift reception centres on Crete have reached capacity, with around 500 new arrivals per day on the Mediterranean island since the on Crete are struggling to provide basic services, using temporary facilities to house migrants, primarily from Somalia, Sudan, Egypt and Morocco, according to island remains a key entry point to the EU for individuals fleeing conflict and hardship in the Middle East, Africa, and surged last year, with over 60,000 migrants landing in Greece — the majority by sea — compared to around 48,000 in 2023, according to UN refugee agency mid-June 2025, Greece had recorded 16,290 arrivals, over 14,600 of which were by Greek authorities stepping up patrols along the eastern maritime border with Turkey, traffickers appear to be increasingly choosing the longer and more dangerous route across the Mediterranean from North Africa, using larger boats capable of carrying more people. — Euronews
Euronews
6 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
EU leaders agree to delegation to Libya after diplomats' expulsion
European Union leaders have agreed to send a new diplomatic delegation to Libya after the military leader Khalifa Haftar asked the previous representatives to leave the country. Speaking on the sidelines of On the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abella said it was important to re-engage with Libya. The four leaders agreed on the need to reactivate the Team Europe initiative, with a delegation from the European Commission, as well as ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta, to be re-deployed to Libya. Team Europe consists of the European Union, EU Member States, as well as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and aims to be a coordinated approach to solving problems. The Rome talks come after military leader Khalifa Haftar, who holds de facto power in large parts of eastern Libya, orchestrated a meeting on Tuesday as a means of "trapping" an EU delegation into recognising the legitimacy of the Benghazi-led Libyan administration, a source familiar with the issue told Euronews. The delegation was declared "personae non grata" and asked to leave Libyan territory upon arrival at the airport of Benghazi. The mission included Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Maltese Interior Minister Byron Camilleri, Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum Athanasios Plevris, and EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando. The mission travelled to eastern Libya after meeting in Tripoli with representatives of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the internationally recognised executive led by Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, which controls Tripoli and western Libya. The diplomatic incident risked complicating Europe's efforts to prevent a wave of irregular migration from Libya to Europe. Arrivals have surged in recent weeks to such an extent that Greece decided on Wednesday to temporarily suspend asylum requests for those arriving from North Africa by sea. More than 500 people were transferred to the port of Lavrio near Athens earlier on Thursday after being intercepted south of the island of Crete. The transfers to the mainland were ordered because makeshift reception centres on Crete have reached capacity, with around 500 new arrivals per day on the Mediterranean island since the weekend. Trying to reach Europe Authorities on Crete are struggling to provide basic services, using temporary facilities to house migrants, primarily from Somalia, Sudan, Egypt and Morocco, according to island officials. Greece remains a key entry point to the EU for individuals fleeing conflict and hardship in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Arrivals surged last year, with over 60,000 migrants landing in Greece — the majority by sea — compared to around 48,000 in 2023, according to UN refugee agency data. By mid-June 2025, Greece had recorded 16,290 arrivals, over 14,600 of which were by sea. With Greek authorities stepping up patrols along the eastern maritime border with Turkey, traffickers appear to be increasingly choosing the longer and more dangerous route across the Mediterranean from North Africa, using larger boats capable of carrying more people.
