Qatari Minister Meets Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi — First Senior Qatari Visit East Since 2014 Split

Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, met LNA commander Khalifa Haftar at the Libyan National Army's general command headquarters in Benghazi on Thursday, concluding a two-day tour of Libya. Al-Khulaifi said Qatar was committed to supporting 'a political process that reflects Libyans' aspirations while aiming at preserving the country's sovereignty,' stressing dialogue and reconciliation. The two also discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. Al-Khulaifi separately met Saddam Haftar and invited him to visit Qatar to continue consultations. It was the first visit by a senior Qatari official to Benghazi since Libya's political split began in 2014, a notable outreach from a state that has historically backed Tripoli-aligned factions to the eastern LNA/GNS camp.