The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Government of National Unity, Abdel-Fattah Dbeibeh, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish National Defense Minister, Yasar Guler, focusing on military cooperation and the enhancement of the Libyan army’s efficiency through specialized training programs. This agreement was reached during a meeting in Antalya, Turkey, where both parties discussed various aspects of military cooperation.
Dbeibeh emphasized the importance of developing military collaboration between the General Staff of the Government of National Unity’s forces and the Turkish Ministry of Defense as a priority, highlighting the implementation of advanced training programs to improve the skills of Libyan army personnel.
Guler praised the military and security cooperation between Turkey and the Government of National Unity, noting its organized progress in all aspects and the continuation of coordination between both sides. Additionally, on October 3, 2022, the Government of National Unity signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey in the hydrocarbon sector during a high-level delegation visit from Ankara, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Energy, and Trade, as well as the National Security Advisor, the Head of the Presidential Communication Department, and the Chief of General Staff.
In recent years, the cooperation has broadened to include wide strategic cooperation in various sectors such as security reform, capacity building, combating terrorism and illegal migration, energy, and health. Agreements have also aimed to increase bilateral trade to US$ 5 billion and enhance cooperation in the fields of defense, health, tourism, education, culture, and more. Both countries have committed to addressing the outstanding issues of Turkish companies operating in Libya, within the framework of legislation in force in the two countries.
The Turkish military intervention in Libya, primarily interpreted as an attempt to secure access to resources and maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, aligns with Turkey’s “Blue Homeland Doctrine.” This involvement has led to disputes with other regional actors and is viewed as part of Turkey’s broader regional strategy, including countering influences from Egypt and the UAE. In December 2023, the Turkish parliament approved the extension of Turkish forces’ deployment in Libya for two more years, starting from January 2024
