Turkey intel chief meets Libya's Saddam Haftar in Benghazi: HT

Turkey intel chief meets Libya's Saddam Haftar in Benghazi: HT

In a significant diplomatic and military development, Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin met with eastern Libya's military leader Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, Libya, on August 20-21, 2025. The meeting comes amidst talks on the Maritime Jurisdiction Agreement, with Turkey offering military support in return.

The high-level meeting coincided with joint military exercises conducted by the Turkish naval corvette TCG Kinaliada and the Libyan National Army (LNA) naval forces. The exercises, which included PASSEX and PHOTEX drills, underscored the expanding military cooperation between Turkey and Libya's eastern forces. The Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that TCG Kinaliada conducted these exercises with the Libyan National Army's Navy patrol boats TBZ-14 and TBZ-15, as well as the Turkish TCB-59 helicopter [1].

The meeting also involved a delegation led by Brig. Gen. Ilkay Altindag, who was recently promoted to major general. The delegation included Rear Adm. Refik Levent Tezcan, Rear Adm. Huseyin Tigli, and navy captain Ilkay Beril Aydemir, the armed forces attache in Tripoli. Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar, the Libyan National Army deputy commander and land forces commander, visited the TCG Kinaliada corvette during the port call. The visit was part of broader efforts to achieve "One Libya, One Army" [1].

The TCG Kinaliada's visit to Benghazi follows its earlier visit to Tripoli on August 17, where Libya's Chief of General Staff Muhammad Haddad visited the corvette. These visits highlight Turkey's engagement with different Libyan military factions as part of broader diplomatic and military cooperation efforts [1].

Expected developments include Haftar's faction approving the Maritime Jurisdiction Agreement, with Turkey providing military support in return. This agreement is crucial for stabilizing Libya and enhancing regional security.

References:
[1] https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/turkish-intel-chief-meets-libyas-khalifa-haftar-in-benghazi-amid-maritime-deal-talks-3205888