Mitsotakis and Libya's Saddam Haftar discuss migration and maritime zones in first Athens visit

High-level talks in Athens

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of the General Command of the Libyan National Army, at the Maximos Mansion on Monday 15 June 2026. The visit marks the first time Haftar has travelled to Greece, signalling a fresh diplomatic channel between Athens and the eastern Libyan power centre. The two men reaffirmed the historical ties between Greece and Libya, before moving to concrete areas of mutual interest. The encounter followed an earlier meeting on the same day between Haftar and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, underscoring the weight Athens attaches to the relationship.

Who is Saddam Haftar?

Saddam Haftar is the son of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army and the dominant figure in eastern Libya. He is widely seen as his father's political and military heir, and his visit to Athens is being interpreted as part of a broader effort to consolidate Libya's international contacts. Before arriving at the Maximos Mansion, he held talks with Foreign Minister Gerapetritis, a sign that the Greek government is engaging directly with key players in Libya's fragmented security landscape. The visit comes as Libya continues to play a pivotal role in migration flows towards Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Economic and investment cooperation

During the meeting, both sides explored ways of deepening economic and investment collaboration. The discussions covered the broader economic relationship, with particular attention to sectors where Greek companies have expertise. While no specific deals were announced, the talks were described as covering the full spectrum of economic and investment fields. The two sides agreed that enhanced economic ties can provide stability and mutual benefit at a time when Libya is seeking reconstruction and international partnerships.

Migration pressures

Irregular migration was described as a shared challenge for both Greece and Libya. The two men discussed further strengthening cooperation on migration issues, with Athens acutely aware of Libya's role as a departure point for people seeking to cross the Mediterranean. The meeting did not produce new operational measures, but the very fact that migration was placed at the top of the agenda signals the urgency Greece attaches to managing flows from the Libyan coast. Athens has long pushed for closer coordination with Libyan authorities to curb illegal departures.

Maritime delimitation on the agenda

The issue of maritime zone delimitation and the prospect of opening official talks was raised during the meeting. This is a field of particular diplomatic weight for Athens, given the strategic importance it places on dialogue with Libya based on international law. No timeline for negotiations was given, but the discussion is a clear indication that Greece intends to keep the maritime boundary question alive, especially in light of previous agreements between Tripoli and Turkey that Athens considers invalid. Greece hopes that engagement with the Haftar camp can provide a counterbalance in the Eastern Mediterranean energy and security equation.