This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, a high-level Turkish delegation arrived in Tripoli, marking the most significant visit to Libya since Khalifa Haftar's offensive in April 2019.
Haftar's campaign, which had been ongoing since 2019, came to an end in recent weeks as the Government of National Accord (GNA) gained ground with increased Turkish support.
Leading the Turkish delegation was Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, accompanied by Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and intelligence chief Hakan Fidan.
The meeting between Cavusoglu and GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj focused on the latest developments in the Libyan crisis and international efforts to resolve it.
Discussions also covered the implementation of the military and security memorandum of understanding concluded in November 2019 between Tripoli and Ankara.
Under this agreement, Turkey reinforced its military support for the GNA, shifting the balance against Haftar, who is backed by Russia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.
Libya has been plagued by violence since the 2011 toppling of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, drawing in tribal militias, jihadists, and mercenaries.
The latest escalation has seen an increase in foreign involvement, with tensions rising between Turkey and France.
Paris has deemed Turkey's armed backing of the GNA 'unacceptable', while Ankara argues that France's support for Haftar is the main obstacle to establishing peace and stability in Libya.
