Libyans are awaiting the result of a Turkish mediation between the heads of rival government – Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), and Fathi Bashagha, of the east-based government of stability.
Bashagha’s office did not disclose the outcome of his talks with officials in Türkiye.
Dbeibah’s office said he discussed with officials unifying international and local efforts to hold elections in Libya.
He met in Istanbul with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and chief of intelligence Hakan Fidan.
Türkiye, meanwhile, did not announce whether a meeting will be held between Dbeibah and Bashagha.
Media reports had said that Ankara was hoping to hold such talks.
Other reports said Dbeibah is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The rival Libyan officials are in Türkiye apparently at an official invitation to mediate between them to end the military escalation in their country and ensure that clashes will not erupt again in Tripoli.
Fighting broke out last week when Bashagha was again barred by militias loyal to the GNU from entering Tripoli and assuming his duties as head of government in spite of his support from the legitimate east-based parliament.
Thirty-two people were killed, mostly civilians. Dozens of others were injured.
Observers believe Türkiye is seeking to push forward reconciliation between Dbeibah and Bashagha, who are both allied to Ankara. This will pave the way for opening channels of communication between east and west Libya, leading to Türkiye-sponsored dialogue with the aim of holding elections.
Ultimately, Türkiye is seeking for the elections to not produce a new political class that is hostile to it.
