Qatar has significantly expanded its diplomatic and political presence in Libya, appearing poised to deepen cooperation and partnerships with political factions in both the east and west and forge future ties after years of strained relations, particularly with Benghazi.
During visits to the capital Tripoli and Benghazi, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi held a series of meetings focused on political, economic and military cooperation. He also held talks with UN envoy to Libya Hanna Tetteh.
Al-Khulaifi concluded his two-day tour of Libya with a visit to Benghazi, where he met Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, the acting commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, at the Libyan National Army's general command headquarters.
The two discussed the latest political developments in Libya and abroad, as well as ways to develop bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves the two countries’ mutual interests.
Qatar has close ties and extensive cooperation with the authorities in Tripoli in western Libya, but this was the first visit by a senior Qatari official to Benghazi in the east since a political split engulfed the country 14 years ago.
Qatari Ambassador Khalid Al-Dosari has also conducted diplomatic outreach in Libya aimed at strengthening cooperation, advancing mutual interests and supporting stability in the country.
Saddam Haftar welcomed the Qatari delegation led by Al-Khulaifi, stressing the depth of the fraternal relations between the two countries and praising Qatar’s efforts to support Libya’s stability and unity.
The general command said on Thursday evening that Al-Khulaifi expressed his pleasure at visiting Benghazi and praised the stability and urban development the city was experiencing. He also formally invited Saddam Haftar to visit Qatar to continue consultations and coordination between the two sides.
Saddam Haftar visited Doha on July 16 to offer condolences to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani over the death of his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Before meeting Saddam Haftar, Al-Khulaifi met his brother, Belqasim Haftar, director-general of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, who was accompanied by Qatar’s ambassador to Libya, Khalid Al-Dosari.
Their talks focused on the importance of cooperation in development and reconstruction, economic partnerships and the participation of Qatari institutions and companies in development projects carried out by the fund.
The fund’s media office said on Thursday evening that the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest and maintaining communication and coordination in the coming period to translate bilateral relations into practical cooperation and partnerships in development and reconstruction.
Before traveling to Benghazi, Al-Khulaifi held several meetings at various levels in Tripoli late last week, beginning with talks with Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, prime minister of the interim Government of National Unity, and his deputy Salem al-Zadma. He also met Salah al-Namroush, chief of the general staff in western Libya.
Talks between Dbeibah and Al-Khulaifi focused on developments in bilateral relations and ways to enhance Qatar’s role in supporting stability and Libya’s political and economic tracks.
Dbeibah welcomed the Qatari minister’s visits to Tripoli and Benghazi and stressed the importance of maintaining contact with Libya’s various factions.
He said his government hoped Qatar would play a greater role in the coming period to support stability and consensus and strengthen regional and international coordination on Libya.
The meeting also addressed the development of bilateral cooperation in several sectors, particularly energy and healthcare, and the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries into broader programs and practical projects, according to Dbeibah’s office.
The two sides also discussed developments in a four-way cooperation mechanism involving Libya, Qatar, Türkiye, and Italy to address irregular migration.
They reviewed ways to build on the launch of a pilot operations room and to strengthen joint programs for capacity building, combating migration, and supporting voluntary returns.
Southern Libya also featured in Al-Khulaifi’s meeting with Dbeibah’s deputy, al-Zadma, who said he briefed the Qatari minister on conditions in the southern Fezzan region and the main challenges and obstacles it faced across various sectors.
They also discussed prospects for economic and development cooperation, developments related to irregular migration, and ways to strengthen coordination between the two countries.
Al-Zadma spoke of Qatar’s importance as an active partner in supporting cooperation with Libya, and the need to broaden communication and partnership to advance stability and development.
He also stressed the importance of continued communication and coordination to open wider prospects for cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
Al-Khulaifi and the Qatari delegation also met al-Namroush at the general staff headquarters in Tripoli to discuss strengthening and developing bilateral relations in various fields.
They also discussed support for efforts to unify Libya’s military establishment and ways to enhance cooperation that could bolster security and consolidate stability in the country.
Tetteh and Al-Khulaifi exchanged views on the latest political and security developments in Libya.
The UN mission said on Thursday evening that Tetteh briefed Al-Khulaifi on recommendations emerging from the “Structured Dialogue,” which the mission sponsored in an effort to break the political deadlock, and on ways to build on them.
She also briefed him on the outcome of a smaller meeting known as the “4+4 Committee” and the next steps, highlighting the role of regional and international actors in supporting UN efforts to pave the way for elections.
Al-Khulaifi expressed support for the efforts of the UN secretary-general’s special representative and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. He stressed the need to integrate all initiatives aimed at resolving Libya’s political deadlock and leading the country toward elections.
The period following the overthrow of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 was marked by political differences among regional states. Some chose to support Tripoli for ideological reasons, while others backed Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Benghazi-based Libyan National Army.
