Türkiye, Egypt collaborate to resolve Libyan crisis Amidst new diplomatic alignment

Türkiye and Egypt, having recently reestablished diplomatic relations, are now focusing their efforts on resolving the ongoing crisis in Libya. 

Egypt and Türkiye are using their recently renewed friendship to tackle the escalating power struggle in Libya, an OPEC member teetering on the edge of civil war, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Having previously backed opposing sides in Libya's conflict five years ago, Cairo and Ankara are now urging the country's rival governments to reach a settlement aimed at ending a debilitating oil blockade, according to officials and diplomats familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Türkiye has also engaged in discussions with Khalifa Haftar, a Libyan military leader and longstanding ally of Egypt, who was previously an adversary of Ankara during the 2019-2020 conflict. 

The eastern parliament supported by Haftar is in a standoff with the United Nations-recognized Tripoli administration led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The core issue is a dispute over the central bank, which controls Libya's substantial oil resources.

Although the challenges are substantial and Libya remains influenced by multiple foreign powers, the diplomatic efforts of Egypt and Turkey have notably alleviated concerns about an imminent full-scale war, according to diplomats. Libyan officials involved in political decision-making also believe that the improved relations between Egypt and Türkiye will significantly decrease the likelihood of further conflict in the near term.

This collaboration on Libya is part of a broader alignment between Türkiye and Egypt, who have found common ground on several regional issues. Both countries have taken a unified stance against Israel’s military actions in Gaza and share similar views on the civil conflict in Sudan and the deteriorating relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia.