Dbeibeh pushes regional alliance

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh took part in a trilateral summit in Istanbul with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where discussions focused on regional cooperation, security, migration, and Libya’s political transition.

Dbeibeh presented Libya’s ongoing security campaign targeting armed groups operating outside the authority of the state. The operation, underway in Tripoli and other regions, aims to dismantle parallel power structures that have long obstructed sovereign institutions. He stressed that this campaign reflects a long-term political and security strategy to restore the rule of law and protect the functioning of state institutions from intimidation and interference.

To enhance coordination, Dbeibeh proposed a four-party ministerial platform that includes Libya, Türkiye, Qatar, and Italy—focusing on joint efforts in security, logistics, and regional development.

Migration pressures and humanitarian challenges

Migration was a central topic at the summit. Libya remains the main departure point for irregular crossings into Europe. Italian authorities report that over 21,000 migrants have arrived from Libya in 2025 so far—an 80% increase over last year.

The sharp rise in crossings has placed pressure on European states while highlighting the burden Libya carries as a transit country. All three countries agreed on the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle human trafficking, secure borders, and address the root causes of irregular migration.

Defence ties and strategic alignment

The summit underscored deepening cooperation between Türkiye and Italy, both NATO allies and key partners for Libya. Earlier this year, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Italian defence company Leonardo signed a joint agreement, signalling a shift toward greater coordination in military and security industries.

These developments are expected to complement Libya’s efforts to rebuild and modernise its defence and security capabilities.

Commitment to a Libyan-led political path

The summit also reaffirmed support for a United Nations-backed political process aimed at ending Libya’s division. Ankara and Rome reiterated their endorsement of a Libyan-led solution that preserves the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Despite international efforts, Libya remains split between rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi, with elections repeatedly delayed due to legal and political deadlocks.

Türkiye continues to play a critical role in Libya’s stability. Since signing maritime and security agreements with the Tripoli government in 2019, Ankara has supported efforts to repel threats to the capital and contributed to the formation of the current unity government.

Positioning Libya in the Mediterranean

The Istanbul summit reinforced Libya’s strategic role in Mediterranean affairs—particularly on issues of migration, energy, and regional security. It also reflected the government’s ongoing push to reclaim state authority, stabilise national institutions, and build durable partnerships that serve the country’s long-term interests.