US Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori, AFRICOM’s Director of Intelligence, have recently met with Libyan leaders to strengthen military cooperation and security ties between the US and Libya.
Joined by US Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt, they engaged with officials from both the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Benghazi and Sirte, and the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and Discussions focused on Libya’s military unification efforts and ways to enhance security collaboration.
In Benghazi, the US delegation met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar. Talks centered on military integration, stability, and security cooperation. Haftar reaffirmed his commitment to unifying Libya’s armed forces and strengthening national security.
In Tripoli, the delegation held meetings with GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, Deputy Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Abdel Salam Zubi, GNU Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammed Haddad, and Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salah Namroush. Discussions covered defense cooperation, military training, and the need for professionalization within Libya’s security forces.
The delegation also traveled to Sirte, a city where the U.S. supported the 2016 campaign against ISIS. Brennan and Keravuori met with Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar and the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) to explore training and technical assistance opportunities following recent modifications to the U.N. arms embargo.
Brennan emphasized the importance of these meetings, stating, “A stronger and more unified Libya is better for its people and for regional security. We look forward to building on existing defense investments to achieve our shared goals of a stable, prosperous Libya.”
Berndt echoed this, highlighting the need for a structured military. “A strong and unified Libyan military will safeguard Libya’s sovereignty in the face of malign actors and regional instability,” he said.
Libya remains divided between the Tripoli-based GNU and the eastern-based government led by Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives. Dbaiba, whose mandate was meant to expire, has refused to step down, leading to political deadlock. Haftar, in contrast, continues to advocate for military unification and national stability.
Since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has faced ongoing instability, with armed groups, foreign mercenaries, and political rivalries preventing lasting peace. While international efforts have aimed at unifying the country, deep divisions persist.
