Athens, December 3 – Aguila Saleh, the president of Libya’s Benghazi-based House of Representatives, is set to arrive in Athens on Friday, marking a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic engagement surrounding the future of Libya.
High-Level Meetings Scheduled
During his visit, Saleh will hold discussions with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. Minister Gerapetritis has been actively involved in managing Greece’s diplomatic relations with both major Libyan factions, highlighting Greece’s strategic interest in the stability of the region.
The House of Representatives, led by Saleh, has notably withheld ratification of the controversial 2019 Turkish-Libyan memorandum. This memorandum, signed by the Tripoli government with Ankara, has been a point of contention and a key factor in regional geopolitical dynamics.
Shifting Turkish Stance and Reconciliation Efforts
Over the past 12 to 14 months, there has been a discernible shift in Ankara’s diplomatic strategy, with increased engagement directed towards Benghazi and Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s camp. This change in approach is primarily aimed at influencing the eastern Libyan parliament towards an eventual ratification of the aforementioned memorandum.
Simultaneously, recent American initiatives have intensified efforts to foster improved communication and reconciliation between the rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi. General Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command, recently undertook visits to both cities, where he met with Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli and Marshal Haftar in Benghazi. These high-level engagements signify a concerted international push for a unified and stable Libya.
Further emphasizing the international commitment to Libyan reconciliation, a joint statement was issued on November 26. This statement, co-signed by 10 countries including the US, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UK, and the UAE, explicitly expressed support for steps towards reconciliation between Libya’s two main political entities.
Greece’s Economic Diplomacy and Reconstruction Plans
In a move to bolster economic ties and contribute to Libya’s post-conflict recovery, Greece is actively planning a business forum in Benghazi. This forum, scheduled for January 14-15, aims to explore and identify investment opportunities in the reconstruction efforts of eastern Libya.
Deputy Foreign Minister Harry Theocharis is slated to accompany a Greek business delegation to this important event. The forum is being organized under the auspices of Belqasem Haftar, one of Marshal Haftar’s sons, who currently heads Libya’s Development and Reconstruction Fund. This initiative underscores Greece’s dual approach of diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation in the Libyan context.
The upcoming visit of Aguila Saleh to Athens, coupled with Greece’s proactive economic diplomacy, highlights the multifaceted international efforts to bring stability and foster reconstruction in Libya. The discussions in Athens are expected to cover a range of issues, from political reconciliation to economic cooperation, reflecting the complex nature of Libyan affairs and the broader regional interests at play.
