Turkey set to open Benghazi consulate

Turkey will re-open its Benghazi consulate in mid-2025, Atalayar reported on February 11th. 

The country closed its embassy in eastern Libya in 2014 over security concerns during a civil uprising, as reported by Anadolu Agency on May 19th 2014. 

Numerous militatas have battled to fill the power vacuum left by the country’s former leader Muammar Gadhafi.

Turkey has diplomatically, militarily and economically backed the Government of National Accord (GNA) as early as 2019.

The country’s GNA support consolidated the administration both in and near Tripoli and was attacked by Khalifa Haftar, the leader of illegitimate armed forces within the east of Libya. 

Turkey and Libya signed memorandums of understanding on “delimitation of maritime jurisdictions” and “military security cooperation” in 2019. With Turkey’s strong military-political support and Italy’s partial support the Tripoli administration put up a successful resistance to Haftar’s forces.

With a permanent ceasefire being given the green light on October 23rd 2020, large-scale clashes ended and activities for a political solution have risen. 

Turkey’s post-2020 Libya policy has moved towards promoting economic stability in Libya as well as diplomatic progress. 

Turkey has established itself as a key partner for the Libyan economy, particularly in the energy sector which historically has been an area of collaboration and investment between the companies in the Libyan oil sector.

Libya’s demand to broaden its economy and Turkey’s high capacity for renewable energy was reinforced with the signing of the “Renewable Energy Investment Agreement between Libya and Turkey,” which demonstrated a major step in this direction.

Additionally, the Ro-Ro shipping line between Turkey, Libya and Italy and the inauguration of Turkish Airlines flights to Benghazi show a developing economic cooperation between Turkey and Libya.

Turkey has sought to further promote stability in the region by forging connections with the Haftar administration that is based in Tobruk, while developing its relations with the GNA.

Turkey’s contact with Haftar forces was one of the most significant breakthroughs in its military and economic relations with Libya. The meeting of General Haftar’s son Saddam Haftar who has been staunchly anti-Turkey, with Yaşar Güler the Turkish National Defense minister at Saha Expo 2024, as well as the talks between Turkish military attaché in Libya with Hafta’s officials, signals the beginning of a new period for ties with Eastern Libya. 

The Turkish consul, Serkan Karmanlıoğlu has said visas will be given directly from Benghazi for Libyan citizens seeking to visit Turkey. 

Karmanlıoğlu added that Turkey will always support the unity and stability of Libya and reinforced the need to see Libya as a strong and prosperous country. 

Atalayar, Daily Salah, BBC, Anadolu Agency