Haftar’s Libya signs infrastructure contract with Turkish firm

The Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund, based in eastern Libya, has signed contracts with a Turkish company to invest in infrastructure for eight airports, according to The Libya Observer on July 21st. 

The Turkish company ALBAVVABA Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi signed these contracts to install and upgrade air navigation and communications across seven named airports in eastern Libya. The airports listed in the contract agreement included Benghazi, Sabha, Sirte, Ubari, Al Abraq, Martouba, and Tobruk.

Belqasem Khalifa Haftar, the Director General of the fund who signed the agreement, is the son of Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of the Libyan National Army. Belqasem was appointed head of the newly created fund back in February 2024. His father’s LNA controls much of eastern Libya and backs the Government of National Stability, which rivals the UN-backed government based in the western city of Tripoli. 

The Fund described the agreement as a significant step toward modernising Libya’s aviation infrastructure. In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the Fund called the contracts “strategic”, aligning with the framework of other projects aimed at reviving Libya’s civil aviation sector, investing in key airports across the country. 

The Field Marshal has been known to recommend his sons, such as Belqasem, for various government positions. The youngest Saddam was appointed as chief of staff of Libya’s army, whilst his older brother Khaled was appointed as the head of security units within the country’s air force, both in 2024. Haftar’s eldest, Al-Siddiq, was placed in charge of the National Reconciliation Committee and previously touted a run in the country’s long-delayed presidential election. 

Turkey is seen as a regional powerbroker through its support of the two rival governments. Former adversaries, Haftar and Turkey, are now expressing an increasing willingness to cooperate on key issues, such as a controversial maritime deal. A Libyan military delegation, headed by Saddam Haftar, met with Turkish officials for talks in Ankara in April 2025.

The Libyan Observer, Maghrebi.org