Turkey's foreign minister is visiting a Libyan opposition stronghold in a show of diplomatic support for rebels trying to overthrow Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in the rebel-controlled city of Benghazi in eastern Libya on Sunday and was to meet with rebel leader Mustafa Abdel-Jalil later in the day.

Turkey has vast trade interests in Libya and longtime ties with the Gadhafi regime. The Turkish foreign minister's visit is the most powerful signal that Turkey is throwing its weight behind the Libyan opposition.

Davutoglu's visit comes amid calls from Libyan rebels for more weapons and funding. The foreign minister has not commented on a recent French arms shipment to the Libyan opposition.