Turkey’s Intelligence Chief Meets Khalifa Haftar in Libya Amid Rising Cooperation

In a surprise diplomatic mission to Libya, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Chief İbrahim Kalın met with Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, the stronghold of the eastern Libyan faction. The high-level meeting focused on Turkey-Libya relations and potential security cooperation initiatives. Officials from the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Haftar, were also present during the discussions.

This engagement marks the first Ankara-Benghazi dialogue in years, reflecting Ankara’s intent to maintain channels of communication with all major Libyan actors. While Turkey has traditionally supported the Libyan Government of National Unity in Tripoli, the eastern region remains under Haftar’s control amid ongoing tensions in the country. The meeting demonstrates Ankara’s strategic interest in fostering stability and security partnerships across Libya.

Strategic Context of the Kalın-Haftar Meeting

Kalın’s meeting is part of a broader Turkey-Libya diplomatic and security framework. Discussions reportedly focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring mechanisms for security cooperation in eastern Libya. The presence of LNA officials underscores the importance of including all military and political stakeholders in negotiations aimed at long-term stability.

The visit aligns with Turkey’s recent diplomatic momentum in Libya. Earlier, on 1 August 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. These developments highlight Ankara’s ongoing efforts to balance engagement with both western and eastern Libyan authorities, navigating the country’s complex post-conflict environment.

Naval Diplomacy: TCG Kınalıada Visits Benghazi

Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the TCG Kınalıada corvette visited Benghazi Port as part of the diplomatic-military engagement. During the visit, Turkish and Libyan military delegations held strategic meetings. The Turkish delegation was led by Major General İlkay Altındağ, recently promoted to Vice Admiral, serving as the Director General of Defense and Security.

From the Libyan side, the discussions were attended by Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the National Army, and the Commander of Land Forces. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the meetings aimed to discuss initiatives in line with the “One Libya, One Army” objective, reflecting a shared vision for national unity and military integration.

Following the talks, Saddam Haftar visited the TCG Kınalıada, highlighting the symbolic and operational significance of joint military engagement. This naval diplomacy underscores Turkey’s commitment to maintaining security cooperation, confidence-building, and operational dialogue with Libyan authorities.

Implications for Regional Stability

The visit illustrates Turkey’s dual approach: engaging diplomatically with political authorities while simultaneously fostering military collaboration. By interacting with both eastern and western Libyan actors, Ankara aims to enhance security coordination, facilitate reconstruction efforts, and support long-term stabilization in Libya.

Experts note that these developments are particularly significant given Libya’s fragmented political landscape, with competing authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi. Turkey’s strategic engagement, including intelligence-level diplomacy and naval visits, signals a commitment to playing a constructive role in the country’s post-conflict stabilization process.

This high-level interaction could pave the way for enhanced counterterrorism efforts, security cooperation agreements, and joint training exercises, reinforcing Ankara’s influence while promoting regional stability in North Africa.