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Libya

July 18, 2026

Tripoli 1:55 am

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech after a signing ceremony with Libyan Government of National Unity prime minister at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on April 12, 2021.

Analysis

In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push

Turkey and the US increasingly share an interest in stabilizing Libya through a Tripoli-Benghazi power-sharing deal, though their alignment may hinge on the durability of any such deal and Washington's stance on Ankara's disputed 2019 maritime agreement.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Libyan National Army Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar in Washington on June 29, 2026.

Rubio hosts Libya’s Saddam Hifter as US pushes unity plan: What to know

The pair discussed "possible avenues for cooperation" to advance Libya's unification.

Latest News

Analysis

Iran oil shock jolts Libya’s fortunes, but old fault lines complicate national recovery

An oil refinery in the northern Libyan town of Ras Lanuf, June 3, 2020.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

US, Turkey boost Libya coordination, but unity push faces political hurdles

Abdullah DOMA / AFP via Getty Images

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohamed Eljarh

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail, shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on August 28, 2025.

World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound

The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan arrives during a visit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on April 29, 2025.

Turkey's FM heads to Italy amid rising tensions with Greece over EastMed, Libya

The top Turkish diplomat is set to meet with his Italian counterpart, as Ankara seeks deeper cooperation with Rome amid a rivalry with Greece and ongoing Libya diplomacy.

A Syrian rebel fighter looks on as he stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles at the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on Dec. 29, 2024.

Analysis

After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway

Moscow faces growing challenges coordinating in Libya and sustaining its regional presence after losing its key Syrian ally and confronting Ankara’s expanding influence.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

A Turkish Airlines plane prepares to take off from the Miami International Airport in Miami, on June 16, 2021.

Turkey resumes flights to Libya's Misrata as Ankara courts Tripoli, Hifter

The first direct flight from Istanbul to Misrata since 2015 underscores Turkey’s efforts to maintain good relations with the Tripoli government as well as its eastern-based rival.

Libya

Analysis

Turkey’s power play in Libya tests Greece’s red lines

A naval visit, back-channel diplomacy and a budding Italy-Libya track reveal Ankara’s push to lock in its 2019 maritime deal.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Libyan soldiers take part in a military parade marking the 82nd anniversary of the Libyan army, in the capital Tripoli on Aug. 9, 2022.

Libya: Tripoli’s fragile peace shaken by renewed fighting, military buildup

Recent weeks have seen multiple clashes and security incidents in the Libyan capital, raising concerns from both the United States and the United Nations.

hifter

Turkey’s spy chief meets Libya's Hifter in surprise visit to Benghazi

The surprise visit comes amid Ankara’s swiftly deepening thaw with eastern authorities after years of rivalry.

Turkish corvette TCG Kinaliada is seen in this undated image.

Turkish warship in Tripoli as Ankara courts Libya’s rival administration

The port call follows Ankara’s new military cooperation agreement with Tripoli as Turkey reaches out to rival factions in eastern Libya.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler met with Saddam Hifter, commander of the Libyan National Army’s ground forces, on the sidelines of IDEF25 defense fair in Ankara, on July 23, 2025.

Libya’s Khalifa Hifter names son Saddam second-in-command: What to know

Saddam Hifter’s appointment as deputy general commander of the Libyan National Army positions him as a key power player in eastern Libya amid ongoing political division.

Badr Abdelatty

Turkey’s Fidan to visit Egypt with Libya, Gaza on agenda

The top Turkish diplomat’s Cairo visit comes as Ankara-Cairo engagement deepens amid shifting power balances in North Africa and shared concerns over Gaza.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni react during a press conference as part of Turkey's President's visit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on April 29, 2025. Turkish President arrived in Rome for talks with Italy's Prime Minister on April 29, 2025, as the two Mediterranean countries seek to boost trade and cooperation, and will discuss the war in Ukraine and the "situation in the Middle East" before a summit where government ministers are expected to sign

Italy, Turkey, Libya hold summit as Meloni prioritizes migration: What to know

Three leaders met in Istanbul as Italy leads efforts to curb irregular migration from Libya and Ankara balances between Tripoli and eastern Libya.

INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images

Middle Eastern countries face new Trump tariffs: What to know

European and Asian markets fell again on Friday amid a broad selloff due to the economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs.