State-owned and controlled Libyan Airlines announced the resumption of flights between Benghazi’s Benina airport and Istanbul.
Flights will start tomorrow and will be twice weekly, operating on Sundays and Thursdays.
Improved Turkish relations with eastern Libya, Hafter and Saleh
The resumption of the Istanbul-Benghazi flight emphasises the improved relations between Turkey and eastern Libya.
It will be recalled that Turkey has great relations with the Libyan authorities in Tripoli, Misrata and most western Libya. Turkey has military forces in western Libya who fought against the Khalifa Hafter forces during the war on Tripoli. Indeed, Turkey was instrumental in defeating Hafter in the war.
However, there has been rapprochement between Turkey and Hafter and House of Representatives Speaker Ageela Saleh, prompted by improved Turkish-Egyptian relations.
Turkey is keen and mindful of having good relations with all Libya. They are aware that there could be a power shift in Libya, through elections for example, and does not want to end up on the losing side.
