Libya to grant visa-free travel for Turkish nationals

Speaking at a meeting with delegates in Ankara on his first official trip there since taking office, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said that he will take steps to ease travel to Libya for Turkish nationals.

"We will immediately start procedures for the complete abolition of visa (requirements) and begin the necessary initiatives to launch an embassy in the capital Ankara and a consulate in the northeastern city of Benghazi," he said, according to Turkish media.

The visit was part of a push by Libya to expand its business relationship with Ankara in order to boost the country's economic sector.

"We want the Turkish and Libyan private sectors to interact and even merge," Dbeibah said.

"We will do whatever it takes to make it easier for you to do business with Libyan businesses in various sectors."

Dbeibah went on to say that Libya is prioritising Turkish investments in Libya and urged further foreign investment.

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"I can invite all companies doing business in Libya: we will solve all your financial problems and none of your rights will be lost," Dbeibah stressed.

He added that the new government respects and recognises all agreements signed by Libyan authorities in the past.

"I can invite all companies doing business in Libya: we will solve all your financial problems and none of your rights will be lost."

Libya and Turkey grow closer

Libya and Turkey maintained their commitment to a 2019 maritime agreement on Monday, despite continued protests by Greece and Cyprus.

At a meeting in Ankara, Dbeibah and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed an agreement that delineates maritime borders between the two countries in the Mediterranean.

Cyprus and Greece have rejected the agreement as a serious breach of international law, which disregarded their own maritime borders.

"The memorandum of understanding concerning the maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean that we signed with our neighbour Libya, has secured the interest and future of both countries," said Erdogan at Monday’s meeting.

Dbeibah agreed with Erdogan saying it served the national interests of both nations.

"Regarding the agreements signed by our countries, especially the maritime deal, we reaffirm that those agreements are valid," he said.