Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), has called for what he described as a “radical change” in Libya’s political landscape to secure long-term stability and national unity. His remarks came during a meeting on Sunday with a delegation of elders and dignitaries from Bani Walid at the Khalifa Haftar Military Complex in Benghazi.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Osama Hammad of the eastern-based government and the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar, underscoring the political weight of the discussions.
According to a statement issued by the LNA’s General Command, Haftar urged Libyans to pursue a peaceful and organised movement aimed at determining their political future and building a unified state. He stressed that the resolution of Libya’s crisis lies in a course of action decided directly by the people themselves, rather than by foreign agendas or interim political arrangements that have prolonged divisions.
Haftar also appealed to countries that seek stability in Libya to fully align with the will of the Libyan people and support their choices when defining the roadmap for the future. He emphasised that external actors should “stand with Libyans, not above them” as the country attempts to escape years of institutional fragmentation and parallel authorities.
During the meeting, Haftar welcomed the Bani Walid delegation and praised what he described as the city’s historic role in preserving national cohesion. He highlighted the tribe’s influence in strengthening social peace, supporting national reconciliation initiatives and promoting unity across the country’s diverse regions.
The visit forms part of broader political consultations led by tribal leaders in eastern Libya, as calls intensify for a comprehensive national settlement and the formation of a unified government capable of leading the country to elections.
