On Wednesday, Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) Ground Forces, met with Lieutenant General John Brennan, deputy commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), at the LNA’s General Command headquarters in Benghazi.
The discussion focused on expanding military cooperation between Libya and the United States and supporting ongoing efforts to unify the country’s divided military institutions.
In a tweet, the US Embassy in Libya praised the meeting, thanking Haftar for an “excellent tour” of LNA facilities. The meetings reflect growing US engagement with Libyan military leaders, as Washington seeks to support security sector reform and counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The talks come at a critical time for Libya, where military fragmentation remains one of the biggest obstacles to national stability. While a ceasefire has largely been held since 2020, the country remains divided, with the LNA controlling eastern and southern Libya, while western forces are aligned with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU). International efforts to unify the armed forces have faced repeated setbacks due to deep-rooted rivalries and foreign interference.
In addition to US involvement, British military officials have also intensified discussions on Libya’s security. Earlier this week, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, Vice Chief of the UK Defence Staff, met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) to discuss long-term security cooperation and stability in Libya.
The recent meetings indicate a wider US commitment to Libya’s security framework, as Washington seeks to counter terrorist threats, prevent regional instability, and support security sector reform.
As Libya prepares for potential elections and further political transitions, military unification remains a critical factor in determining the country’s ability to achieve long-term stability and peace.
