Libya’s eastern government visits Belarus

Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Libya, particularly in agriculture, industry, and healthcare sectors.

During a meeting on Tuesday with Osama Hammad, the Prime Minister of Libya’s eastern-based parallel government, Turchin emphasised the growing momentum in bilateral relations. According to the Belarusian state news agency BelTA, this marked the fourth high-level dialogue between the two sides within four months, underscoring their mutual interest in strengthening longstanding ties.

Turchin said he was acting on directives from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to pursue tangible economic projects that would benefit both nations. He identified key areas for collaboration including agriculture, food security, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education, human capital development, disaster management, and emergency response.

Libya remains deeply affected by political fragmentation and instability since the 2011 uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. The country is currently divided between rival administrations: a UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a parallel authority controlling the eastern region, backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar. The eastern government, which Hammad represents, is actively seeking international partnerships to stabilize and rebuild the nation’s economy and infrastructure.

Belarus’s engagement with Libya fits within a broader strategy to diversify its diplomatic and economic relations beyond traditional partners. For Libya, collaboration with Belarus offers opportunities to strengthen critical sectors. Agriculture and food security are priorities, given Libya’s heavy reliance on imports and the need to boost local production. Efforts to revive manufacturing and industry aim to rebuild war-damaged infrastructure and stimulate job creation. Meanwhile, healthcare and pharmaceuticals are crucial for addressing ongoing public health challenges.

Hammad’s visit to Belarus, his first official trip to the country, began on Monday with a delegation that includes senior officials from Haftar’s camp. Among them were Khairi Al-Tamimi, Secretary-General of Khalifa Haftar’s General Command; Suleiman Al-Abar, Deputy Head of the General Intelligence Service; Abdulhadi Al-Hweij, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Sami Al-Dhawi, Minister of Local Governance.

The visit aims to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation, signaling a shared determination to advance joint economic and developmental projects. For Belarus, Libya represents a strategic partner in North Africa where it hopes to expand its influence and economic footprint.