Belgasem Haftar, son of General Khalifa Haftar, is the most powerful economic figure in Eastern Libya, as he controls the Reconstruction Authority and harbors ambitions for a political role in Libya once the country’s political deadlock is resolved.

Two months ago, he met with Giorgos Gerapetritis in his luxurious office in Benghazi and accepted the invitation to visit Athens. Today, he is expected to be received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he will meet both the Minister and Deputy Minister Haris Theocharis, with whom he will prepare the Greek business delegation’s upcoming mission to Benghazi.

The discussions are of obvious interest, as General Haftar has gradually handed over responsibilities to his sons. Despite Turkey’s growing influence in Eastern Libya, Belgasem Haftar recognizes the importance of cultivating strong ties with a country that is both an EU member state and a member of the UN Security Council.

In the coming days, the Foreign Minister of Libya’s interim government in Tripoli will also travel to Athens for talks with Mr. Gerapetritis. It is highly likely that during this visit, a date will be set for the first meeting of the negotiating teams on the issue of delimiting the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).