On Sunday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, welcomed the French Ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje, at the LNA’s General Command headquarters in Benghazi.
The meeting comes at a crucial time as Libya remains embroiled in political instability, with rival factions jostling for influence and international stakeholders pushing for progress toward national elections.
Discussions between Haftar and Mihraje focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing shared priorities, including security, migration, and energy, in ways that align with both countries’ strategic interests.
The meeting underscores France’s continuing efforts to maintain active diplomatic channels with all key players in Libya’s fractured political landscape.
Meanwhile, France has been walking a fine line, engaging with both the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and Haftar’s eastern-based forces, balancing its diplomatic stance to safeguard energy, migration, and counterterrorism interests.
This diplomatic engagement occurs against the backdrop of stalled national elections, initially slated for December 2021, but delayed repeatedly due to deep divisions over election laws, candidate eligibility, and political control.
France has consistently called for a comprehensive political solution to resolve Libya’s crisis, seeing stability as key to addressing not only domestic challenges but also regional security concerns. With recent reports of renewed international pressure to hold elections, Haftar’s role as a decisive power broker in the East cannot be overlooked. His cooperation remains essential to achieving a unified government and restoring national institutions.
