Greece seeks closer ties with Haftar amid rising tensions over Libya-Turkey maritime deal

Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar hosted Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and his delegation in Benghazi, where discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, commercial, and cultural spheres.

Haftar invited Greek companies to participate in Libya’s reconstruction and infrastructure projects, highlighting mutual interests in development. The talks also addressed key regional issues, including migration and maritime border delimitation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to international law and shared historical ties.

The visit comes against the backdrop of growing friction between Greece and Libya, particularly over the 2019 maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey, which the Greek government considers illegitimate. As part of its broader diplomatic strategy, Athens is engaging with both Libyan factions to counter Turkish influence. Gerapetritis is expected to continue his regional outreach with a visit to Tripoli on 15 July, where he will meet with officials from the Government of National Unity in a bid to restore balance in Greece’s relations across Libya’s divided political landscape.