On Saturday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, urged the European Union to exert more efforts in supporting the political process towards holding presidential and parliamentary elections and achieving lasting stability in Libya.
This came during a meeting with the EU Envoy to Libya, Nicola Orlando, along with the accompanying delegation.
The two sides discussed the latest local and regional developments, according to a statement issued by the General Command Forces.
Orlando is visiting the eastern region to meet with several officials and inspect various projects. He commended the role of the LNA in maintaining security and stability, as well as their significant efforts in curbing illegal migration.
Earlier, Orlando stated that the European Union, as Libya’s main partner, works on cooperation and development throughout the country through its implementing partners.
Last month, Haftar welcomed the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Alberini, and his accompanying delegation.
According to the General Command’s media office, Haftar expressed his pleasure with the visit of the Italian Ambassador and the Consul General of the Italian Embassy in Benghazi. Haftar emphasised the positive development in the good neighbourly relations between Libya and Italy.
The statement added that the meeting covered discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and cultural fields. They affirmed the role of specialized Italian companies in the reconstruction efforts in various Libyan cities and regions.
Furthermore, the two sides discussed the importance of coordination and joint cooperation to address the issue of illegal migration and the need for practical steps in this regard.
During the meeting, the Italian Ambassador confirmed the imminent launch of direct flights from Benghazi Airport to Rome Airport.
Libya has been marked by political instability and violent conflict since the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Libya fell into a prolonged civil war, resulting in divided authorities, economic collapse, and a humanitarian crisis.
