The Chief of Staff of Libya’s Naval Forces, Admiral Shuaib Yousef Al-Saber, met on Tuesday with the French military attaché to Libya and his accompanying delegation at the Benghazi Naval Base to discuss strengthening bilateral naval cooperation.
According to a statement by the Naval Staff, the meeting focused on enhancing joint efforts in the fields of naval training and combating illegal migration, as part of broader efforts to secure Libya’s territorial waters and improve coordination between the two countries’ maritime institutions.
The session was also attended by Commander of Benghazi Naval Base, Commodore Obaid Jouda, and Naval Staff technical adviser, Brigadier Engineer Omar Al-Maslati.
At the end of the meeting, Admiral Al-Saber presented a commemorative gift to the French military attaché, expressing appreciation for the visit and wishing him success in his duties.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
