Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
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Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is conducting talks with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) for the possible use of the Misrata naval base and Al-Watiya airbase.

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Adnan Ozbal paid a visit to Libya and met Libyan Army's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Sharif. They discussed the latest developments in Libya and the possibility of using Al-Watiya airbase and in addition to inaugurating a naval base in Misrata.

On November 27, Ankara and GNA signed two separate pacts, one that encompasses military cooperation and the other maritime boundaries of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Turkish business delegation is set to visit Libya within two weeks to assess how Turkey’s companies and banks can help rebuild the war-torn country and secure its energy needs, sources told Reuters.

Politicians could join the upcoming trip by what they called a “committee” of business representatives. They will craft a business plan and initially focus on meeting Libya’s energy needs and re-building and renewing its infrastructure, sources added.

Earlier, a senior Turkish delegation visited the GNA on June 18 to discuss the Libyan updates and the return of Turkish firms in Libya as well as energy and reconstruction projects.

Also, Erdogan expressed support to the "legitimate government" in Libya that is seeking the country’s unity. The president was speaking to the members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) via videoconference.

He added that Turkey will not leave the fate of the Libyan people at the mercy of putschists and will continue to act in line with international law.



Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon’s Sidon Kills Hamas Member

Rescue workers inspect a damaged car after an Israeli strike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Rescue workers inspect a damaged car after an Israeli strike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
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Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon’s Sidon Kills Hamas Member

Rescue workers inspect a damaged car after an Israeli strike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Rescue workers inspect a damaged car after an Israeli strike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

An Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon killed one person early Wednesday, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.
Security officials at the scene told The Associated Press that the man killed in the port city of Sidon was a member of the Palestinian Hamas group.
Over the past 19 months, Israel’s military has targeted members of Hamas in Lebanon where the Palestinian group has a military presence.
The group has also carried out rocket attacks from Lebanon since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, and in recent weeks Lebanese authorities detained several men linked to Hamas on suspicion of firing rockets toward Israel.
Lebanese authorities warned Hamas last week that it would face the “harshest measures” if it carried out any attacks from Lebanon.