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Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin met with eastern Libya's military leader Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi as Haftar's faction is expected to approve the Maritime Jurisdiction Agreement soon, with Türkiye providing military support in return.
The high-level meeting coincided with the Turkish naval corvette TCG Kinaliada conducting joint military exercises with Libyan National Army (LNA) naval forces on Aug. 20-21, highlighting expanding military cooperation between Türkiye and Libya's eastern forces.
According to a Turkish Ministry of Defense statement: "August 20-21, TCG Kinaliada conducted PASSEX and PHOTEX exercises together with the patrol boats TBZ-14 and TBZ-15 of the Libyan National Army's Navy, as well as the Turkish TCB-59 helicopter."
The Turkish Ministry of Defense also stated: "TCG Kinaliada paid a port visit to Benghazi/Libya on August 20-21. As part of the visit, a PASSEX coordination meeting was held with the participation of Commander of Benghazi Naval Base, Rear Admiral (UH) Abid Mesud Jouda; the Deputy Commander, Head of Operations, and Chief Engineering Officer of the base; the Commanding Officers of Libyan National Army's Navy vessels that would take part in the PASSEX activity, and 16 personnel from the Libyan Navy."
The Ministry of National Defense announced that a delegation led by Brig. Gen. Ilkay Altindag, director general of defense and security, who was recently promoted to major general following High Military Council (YAS) decisions, visited Libyan National Army Deputy Commander and Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar.
The visit focused on meetings within the framework of joint work that could be carried out with the goal of "One Libya, One Army," according to the ministry.
Turkish Ambassador to Libya Guven Begec and Türkiye's Consul General in Benghazi Serkan Kiramanlioglu participated in the meetings.
The Turkish delegation also included Rear Adm. Refik Levent Tezcan, Rear Adm. Huseyin Tigli, and navy captain Ilkay Beril Aydemir, Armed Forces attache in Tripoli.
Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar visited the TCG Kinaliada corvette during the port call.
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The ministry added: "Following the meeting, TCG Kinaliada was toured by the delegation, during which information was provided regarding the ship's capabilities."
The defense ministry further stated: "Upon departure from Benghazi Port, TCG Kinaliada was seen off by Rear Adm. Abid Mesud Jouda, accompanied by personnel of the Libyan National Army, Rear Adm. (UH) Huseyin Tigli, the Turkish naval forces representative, Serkan Kiramanlioglu, consul general of the Republic of Türkiye in Benghazi, and the defense and naval attache of the Republic of Türkiye to Libya."
TCG Kinaliada had previously reached Tripoli Port on Aug. 17, where Libya's Chief of General Staff Muhammad Haddad visited the corvette.
The naval vessel's visits to both Tripoli and Benghazi underscore Türkiye's engagement with different Libyan military factions as part of broader diplomatic and military cooperation efforts.
Expected developments include Haftar's faction approving the Maritime Jurisdiction Agreement, with Türkiye providing military support in return.
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