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Dbeibeh, Menfi to Visit Turkey to Tackle Mercenaries in Libya

African workers seen in Tajura city, Libya. (AFP)
African workers seen in Tajura city, Libya. (AFP)
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Dbeibeh, Menfi to Visit Turkey to Tackle Mercenaries in Libya

African workers seen in Tajura city, Libya. (AFP)
African workers seen in Tajura city, Libya. (AFP)

Turkish intelligence has informed Libya’s new Government of National Unity (GNU) that Ankara will continue to offer training and expertise in line with the agreements struck with its predecessor, the Government of National Accord (GNA), reported local media.

GNA sources, however, informed Ankara that the government will no longer resort to Syrian mercenaries.

The ones already present in Libya will be deported to Turkey, said a government source.

Head of the GNU Abdulhamid Dbeibeh and new head of the Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi are set to soon visit Turkey to review agreements signed between Tripoli and Ankara, as well as the fate of mercenaries aligned with the GNA.

Dbeibeh and Menfi had both received on Saturday telephone calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He said that the sovereignty, independence and unity of “sisterly Libya” were fundamental for Turkey. He vowed that Ankara will continue to provide all forms of necessary support to Libya, stressing the need to bolster and expand cooperation.

Separately, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio paid a visit to Tripoli on Sunday, the first by a European official since the formation of the GNU.

During his surprise visit, he held talks with Dbeibeh, Menfi and his counterpart Najla el-Mangoush.

He underlined Rome’s support for Libya in all fields and its efforts to unify its sovereign state institutions.

Menfi’s office revealed that Italy has started to increase its diplomatic representation in Libya.

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France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
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France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver three key messages during his upcoming visit to Lebanon on Friday, focusing on the nation’s sovereignty, economic reform, and preservation of unity. This marks Macron’s third trip to Lebanon following the 2020 Beirut port explosion, underscoring Paris’ ongoing engagement with Lebanon during its political and economic crises.
Macron will arrive in Beirut accompanied by a small delegation, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, parliamentarians, and individuals with strong ties to Lebanon.
His agenda includes meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Discussions will also extend to UNIFIL leaders and French and American officers overseeing the ceasefire monitoring team, focusing on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and expanding the Lebanese army’s role in the region.
According to Elysee sources, France prioritizes Lebanon’s sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of empowering the state to control its borders, reclaim its territory, and implement UN Resolution 1701. Paris views the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as central to this goal, providing them with equipment, training, and logistical support. Macron is also urging Israel and Hezbollah to adhere to commitments for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The sources added that France’s approach extends to engaging with regional actors. Barrot recently stressed to Syrian officials the need to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, prevent smuggling, and maintain regional stability. These discussions echo themes raised during Mikati’s recent visit to Syria, as Paris seeks to address cross-border issues that threaten Lebanon’s security.
Macron’s visit also aims to address the role of Hezbollah within Lebanon. French officials encourage the group to transition into a political entity, fully integrating into the democratic process. They argue that Hezbollah’s declining military capacity, exacerbated by regional changes such as the weakening of the Assad regime, presents an opportunity for this transformation.
Macron’s previous engagements with Hezbollah during 2020 roundtable talks emphasized disarmament and inclusion in Lebanon’s political framework. France believes this shift is essential for restoring institutional functionality and preserving Lebanon’s unity, the sources underlined.
Macron’s third focus is on Lebanon’s economic recovery. The sources at the Elysee noted that France is advocating for structural reforms as a foundation for rebuilding the economy, beginning with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Paris has made it clear that international aid depends on Lebanon restoring global confidence through transparency, anti-corruption measures, and economic restructuring.
While French officials did not confirm plans for an international conference to aid Lebanon, they indicated that Paris is prepared to mobilize global support if reforms are implemented. France also continues to coordinate closely with Saudi Arabia and the United States to develop a shared vision for Lebanon’s recovery, the sources concluded.