Greece’s FM meets with Libya’s Haftar amid rising tensions

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met Khalifa Haftar, the de-facto leader of eastern Libya, in Benghazi on Sunday, the Libya Observer reports. The discussion was reportedly centered on migration and the possible endorsement of Turkey’s controversial 2019 maritime pact with Libya’s Tripoli-based government.

Haftar, who once opposed the deal, is reportedly weighing ratifying it. Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt argue the agreement violates their territorial rights in the Mediterranean.

The EU has concluded that the deal breaches international law, though Libya rejects this claim.

Gerapetritis also voiced concern over the rising number of migrants leaving Libya for Greece, straining local communities.

Greek authorities say more than 1,200 migrants have been detained on the island of Crete and the nearby islet of Gavdos over the past three days, according to the Associated Press.

European Commissioner Magnus Brunner is expected to travel to Libya this week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta to compel Libyan authorities to take tougher action to curb migrant departures for Europe.

Greece’s foreign ministry confirmed these issues were discussed, while Haftar’s office said talks focused on boosting cooperation and potential Greek involvement in Libyan infrastructure projects.

Following the one-on-one meeting, Gerapetritis also met with General Hifter’s son, Belkacem Haftar, who is responsible for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Libya, Africa News reports.

Gerapetritis is also due to meet a delegation in Tripoli on July 15th as Athens seeks to counter Turkey’s expanding influence in Libya. Since the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the country remains split between two rival governments – one based in Tobruk and the other in Tripoli.