Media: Türkiye takes bold step toward Libyan unity with new defence pact

In a significant geopolitical move, Türkiye and Libya’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have signed a landmark defense cooperation agreement — a deal that signals Ankara’s growing influence in shaping a unified and stable future for the war-torn North African nation.

According to TRT Haber, the agreement was finalized during a visit to Ankara by Saddam Haftar, Chief of Staff of the LNA Ground Forces and son of powerful military commander Khalifa Haftar, Caliber.Az.

The visit, timed deliberately for April 4 — the anniversary of Libya’s 2018 internal conflict — marked what Turkish defense officials described as “a new strategic leap” toward ending Libya’s east-west division.

“Türkiye and Libya are two brotherly nations bound by deep historical and cultural ties,” a senior Turkish Defense Ministry source told TRT Haber. “Back in 2020, when the Libyan Government of National Accord requested our help, Türkiye’s support brought balance to the battlefield, enabled a ceasefire, and paved the way for a political process.”

Now, five years later, Ankara is taking steps to help Libya move beyond the lingering East-West divide.

“It’s time to stop calling Libya ‘East’ and ‘West.’ It’s time to remember Libya simply as Libya,” the ministry source declared, describing the new agreement as a critical part of Ankara’s long-term vision for peace and reintegration.

The deal encompasses a wide scope of defense cooperation: joint military training, arms and drone supply, and large-scale military infrastructure development. Notably, the Turkish Navy is set to begin joint training operations along Libya’s eastern Mediterranean coast — a move that both symbolizes and reinforces Ankara’s commitment to rebuilding Libya’s fragmented defense capabilities.

An official signing ceremony, to be held in Benghazi, will formalize the agreement, with Türkiye’s top army commanders in attendance. The symbolic location underscores Türkiye’s intent to operate beyond its traditional partnerships in western Libya and embrace cooperation with the country’s eastern leadership.

Adding further momentum to the reconciliation narrative, Turkish Airlines recently resumed flights to Benghazi — a first in over a decade since the outbreak of Libya’s civil war. The restored air route is widely seen as another signal that Türkiye is serious about bridging divides and fostering national integration.

This bold initiative suggests Türkiye is positioning itself not merely as a mediator but as an architect of Libya’s post-conflict security architecture — one that unites rather than divides.

With the defense pact in place, Ankara appears poised to play a central role in shaping a future where Libya is not viewed through the lens of its fragmented past, but as a sovereign nation charting a new, unified course.

By Tamilla Hasanova