Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met with Libyan military commander General Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi on Sunday, part of a high-stakes diplomatic push by Athens to shut down a new and increasingly active migrant smuggling route across the Mediterranean to the island of Crete.
The visit, which focused on curbing irregular migration and addressing disputed maritime boundaries, comes just days after Greece deployed naval vessels to international waters off the Libyan coast to intercept smuggling boats.
In the one-hour meeting, Mr. Gerapetritis pressed for cooperation from Libyan authorities to manage and reduce the migrant flows originating from the country’s eastern coast.
Following the discussion, the Greek foreign minister stated that he and General Haftar had exchanged views on migration management and the future of bilateral cooperation, emphasizing the “historic and cultural bonds” between the two nations.
Mr. Gerapetritis also met with Belkacem Haftar, the general’s son who is tasked with overseeing Libya’s reconstruction efforts.
The Libyan official extended an invitation to Greek businesses to participate in the country’s rebuilding process.
The diplomatic mission highlights the complex political landscape Greece must navigate. A planned visit by Mr. Gerapetritis to Tripoli to meet with the internationally recognized government was postponed until July 15 due to logistical issues.
The delay underscores the challenge of dealing with Libya’s rival factions, where Turkey has cultivated significant influence with both sides.