Libya today: Condoleezza Rice’s map, hope for reunification and Türkiye’s policy

Libya holds critical importance for Türkiye’s Blue Homeland and Eastern Mediterranean strategy. For quite a while, the country has been going through significant changes and power shifts. Sides switch, alliances realign, and power constantly reshuffles. Most recently, Ankara has begun reengaging with Khalifa Haftar, with Türkiye’s intelligence chief meeting him face to face.

To make sense of what’s unfolding in Libya, we spoke with someone who not only knows its history but also witnessed its more recent chapters firsthand and knew Muammar Gaddafi: Uluç Özülker.

A retired ambassador and veteran diplomat of 41 years, Özülker served as Türkiye’s ambassador in Tripoli between 1993 and 1995.

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Saddam, the son of Khalifa Haftar, has been holding talks with Türkiye. Does this signal Ankara’s readiness to distance itself from the Dbeibah administration? Which political actor in Libya holds the most promise? Who could unify the country?

Libya is a very unique case. Haftar first emerged as an intelligence operative under US patronage. At one point, his forces came within six kilometers of Tripoli. But they could go no further because Türkiye stepped in. Without engaging in direct combat, Ankara supported the Tripoli-based government by supplying arms and military training.

Still, Libya remained split in two. The country has two major oil fields, one in Haftar’s territory, the other in the Tripoli region. In other words, nearly everything in Libya is now divided down the middle.

A hope for national reunification

Speaking from personal experience, having served there, I can say this: the most important development is that Haftar has accepted the idea of steps toward national reunification. How consistently he will follow through on this, and what position he envisions for himself in a united Libya, remain to be seen. But this shift opens the door for Libya to emerge from civil war without permanent division.

As for Türkiye, the key point is that Ankara has stood firmly and legitimately behind the Tripoli government. Why legitimately? There are two main reasons. First, the United Nations recognizes Tripoli as the legitimate authority. Second, Tripoli directly requested Türkiye’s support.

As the Tripoli government grew stronger, Haftar began to realize there was little more he could do and that prompted him to take steps toward reunification.

Condoleezza Rice’s map

How important is Libya for Türkiye’s national interests today? Is Ankara acting in line with these interests?

Ankara’s stance has been correct in the past and remains so today.

Condoleezza Rice once presented a map showing seven countries slated for intervention under the Greater Middle East Project. Libya was among them. Though not officially stated, Türkiye also should be counted on that list. But through its policies, Türkiye has forced recognition of its presence in the region. In Libya, it has acted as a stabilizing and reassuring force amid the turmoil.

“The US is the obstacle in Libya”

Ottoman legacy and the regional influence

This approach is not limited to Libya, Türkiye applies a similar policy in Syria today. Overall, these developments suggest Ankara is positioning itself as a regional hub for peace, security, and stability.

Also, Libya has historically good ties with Türkiye. For example, when Türkiye launched its Cyprus operation in 1974 and faced a US arms embargo, two countries opened their arms to help, Libya and Pakistan.

The two countries’ shared history runs deep. When I arrived in Libya as ambassador, the protocol director greeted me by kissing my hand. I was surprised. I later learned he was a descendant of Ottoman citizens who had married into local families. When speaking of Türkiye, one must remember this Ottoman legacy and the regional influence it still carries.

Gaddafi: “Without a strong central authority…”

And Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated by NATO countries under accusations of being “undemocratic” “dictator”, etc. Every country must be understood on its own terms, and Libya is a desert country. Gaddafi once told me: “We have over 450 tribes, most living in the desert. Without a strong central authority backed by the armed forces and intelligence, it would be impossible to keep them under control and govern the country in peace.” He was right. Without his leadership, Libya would have fractured much earlier. History shows how difficult it has always been to hold the country together.

What about the other foreign forces: the US, Russia, France, Italy? Which of them is Ankara ready to work with?

The bitter aspect of Libya for us is our history with Italy. In 1911, Italy invaded Libya. Atatürk, along with a group of Ottoman officers, organized and trained the local population and tribes to resist. They achieved significant successes but then the officers had to leave for the Balkan Wars. At the end Italy established itself in Libya. This has two important meanings.

First, Italy, like Germany, was a latecomer to the colonial race and pursued aggressive expansion. They invaded Libya. Even today, despite not being particularly fond of them, Libyans have developed a habit of working with Italians.

“Washington cannot be trusted”

Libya lost its war with Chad, and Gaddafi partly blamed Haftar for the defeat. He ordered Haftar’s execution, but the Americans intervened, sheltered him, and brought his family to a home just 300–400 meters from CIA headquarters in Washington. Under US patronage, Haftar became a key figure in efforts to divide Libya to this date. So Washington cannot be trusted.

Remember what I said about Condoleezza Rice. Throughout Gaddafi’s rule, the US tried to make Libya dependent on it. Failing that aim, they sought his elimination. Note that Libya is extremely rich in oil. The world’s most prized crude is found first in southern Algeria, and second in Libya. Gaddafi, facing US hostility, turned to Soviet protection, making Libya a Cold War chessboard.

France also pursued control over Libyan oil, claiming it had been left out of the global carve-up. Alongside the US, Paris played a leading role in stoking civil war and ultimately in Gaddafi’s assassination. Today, the French regret it, but what is done cannot be undone.

Egypt, meanwhile, has historically had a tense relationship with Libya, especially with its eastern region, which shares cultural traits that Cairo viewed as a political risk. Haftar’s war effort was backed by Egypt and the UAE with massive arms supplies.

Now, however, many of these hostilities have eased. Libya has rejoined the Arab League. But the US didn’t give up with the Greater Middle East Project.

“Türkiye is the strongest in Libya”

Russia has recently shifted its military presence in Libya from Wagner forces to the Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps. Will this alter Ankara’s view of Russian involvement?

Under Gaddafi, Russia was Libya’s closest ally. For instance, when the US accused Libya of pursuing nuclear weapons, Gaddafi let me visit a facility working on nuclear-related research. I asked, “Are the Russians involved?” The researchers replied, “We couldn’t have gotten this far without them.”

Russia’s influence waned later, but it is now regaining ground. Wagner troops were present when Haftar’s forces approached 6 km to Tripoli.

Yet today, Türkiye is the strongest country in Libya. Why? Because Türkiye provided the infrastructure, psychological support, and political support to unity needed for the country’s survival. While Americans, French and English bombed and invaded, Türkiye stood by them. That is the truth and Libyans remember that. Libya bolstered Türkiye’s position in the Eastern Mediterranean by supporting Ankara’s maritime jurisdiction claims.

Putin insists on good relations with Türkiye

Is cooperation possible between Turkish and Russian forces in Libya?

Putin insists on maintaining a personal rapport with our president. Türkiye follows a balanced policy, neither fully opposing Russia nor fully endorsing all its actions in Ukraine or elsewhere. Putin, for his part, clearly wants to keep Türkiye close.

As a NATO member, Türkiye’s relations with Russia are thought to be negative, like those of other NATO members, but Türkiye is in a position to both oppose Russia and maintain very good relations with it at the same time.

Even after serious incidents, like the downing of a Russian jet in Syria, the relationship was restored. Today, both sides maintain mutually beneficial ties, from nuclear power projects to natural gas pipelines under the Black Sea.

This situation is no longer like that in the Soviet era. Türkiye sees Russia not as an enemy but as a friend.

No need for cooperation with NATO countries

Could there be areas for cooperation between Türkiye and NATO countries in Libya?

There’s no need for that. Neither Libya nor Türkiye needs that. NATO’s presence has always been about power contests, first with the Warsaw Pact, now with the Eurasian bloc. Libya is no longer a battlefield for such rivalries. Though we still cannot ignore US support for Haftar.

Another important point: China now dominates Africa economically. And the number two is Türkiye. Former colonial powers like Britain and France have been pushed out.  Also the US finds little warmth on the continent.

Let me share an anecdote: Algeria recently agreed with Türkiye on a major energy investment. When a French journalist asked the Algerian president why they hadn’t chosen France, he replied, “You came here to exploit us, to enrich yourselves under the guise of helping. Türkiye has never done that. We have lived together for centuries. They will not try to exploit us. That’s why we chose them.”

This is the foundation of Türkiye’s credibility in the region. We are not colonialists, neither with the Ottoman Empire nor with the Republic of Türkiye.

What should Türkiye do to normalize the situation in Libya, and who is it ready to work with?

First, internal peace must be secured. Historically, Benghazi and Tripoli have never fully trusted each other. But now Haftar has taken a positive step. Preventing Libya’s permanent division would be a major achievement.

Türkiye is already firmly present in Tripoli and appears to be holding quiet talks with Haftar. The UAE and Egypt have also scaled back their confrontational stances. These are promising developments.

“Libya has suffered enough”

If Türkiye can facilitate reunification, it will maintain strong influence. This does not mean hegemony. This means to open the way for peace and development. In fact, Türkiye demonstrated similar involvements in Africa.

Libya has suffered enough. The priority now must be peace, and Türkiye has a serious role to play.

Finally, let me address a common accusation that Türkiye seeks to “revive the Ottoman Empire”. This is not true. But we are present and influential, drawing on our historical legacy. The clearest example is Somalia. It is completely under Türkiye’s guidance in governance, education, military training, and security. There is no other foreign power in the country. Step by step, our presence extends: Somalia, Libya, Sudan. What we are talking about is an interconnected whole.

We are the heirs of the Ottoman Empire. Just as I cannot deny my parents, I cannot deny that heritage. My father, mother-in-law and father-in-law were born as subjects of the Ottoman Empire. We exist in the world as the successors of a great empire.