Libya tops agenda in US–Turkey talks on regional stability

The United States and Turkey have discussed closer cooperation on regional issues, with Libya high on the agenda, during talks between US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Boulos said in a post on X on Friday that the meeting, held in Istanbul, focused on “joint efforts” in Libya, Sudan and Somalia, as well as wider African affairs. He stressed that “creating the conditions for peace is essential to enabling long-term growth and prosperity across the continent” and confirmed that both countries would continue working together to deepen cooperation.

Visit to Libya highlights economic focus

Boulos’s meeting with Fidan came shortly after a North Africa tour that included Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. In Tripoli, he met Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and in Benghazi he held talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. While his political messages echoed familiar calls for “restoring calm”, “preventing violence”, “unifying institutions” and “advancing dialogue”, the most concrete outcomes were economic.

During his Tripoli stop, Boulos attended the signing of a cooperation agreement between Mellitah Oil and Gas Company and US-based Hill International. He also revealed that two further agreements between the National Oil Corporation and American energy firms are expected soon — signalling continued US interest in Libya’s energy sector.

Regional diplomacy without new political initiatives

In Tunisia, Boulos met President Kais Saied, and in Cairo he held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. However, there was no sign of the long-rumoured “initiative” from former US President Donald Trump to resolve Libya’s political crisis.

For many in Libya, the visit underscored Washington’s prioritisation of economic partnerships while political breakthroughs remain elusive.