Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), held expanded talks in Benghazi on Tuesday with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson.
The talks aim at strengthening military cooperation and enhancing the operational capabilities of forces under the General Command. The meeting came shortly after Anderson’s separate session with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar earlier in the day.
According to the General Command’s media office, the discussions addressed recent international and regional developments that directly affect Libya’s security environment.
Both sides reviewed ongoing efforts to counter cross-border threats, including terrorism, extremist organizations, and human-smuggling networks that use Libya as a transit point toward the Mediterranean.
The talks placed particular emphasis on expanding cooperation between AFRICOM and the Libyan National Army through advanced training programs, technical support, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving the readiness and professionalism of LNA units.
For his part, Saddam Haftar discussed the long-standing UN arms embargo, stressing the importance of allowing the Libyan military to equip itself adequately in order to confront the wide range of threats facing the country.
Meanwhile, Anderson reaffirmed the value of continued coordination with the LNA and highlighted the importance of constructive engagement with all Libyan military institutions capable of contributing to national and regional stability. He described Libya as a critical partner in efforts to combat terrorism and disrupt violent extremist networks operating across North Africa and the Sahel.
