Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army, arrived in the French capital Paris on Friday, following an official invitation, where he held a formal meeting at the Elysee Palace with senior French officials.
During the visit, Haftar met the Chief of Staff to the President of the French Republic, General Vincent Girod, as well as the special envoy of President Emmanuel Macron, Paul Soler. The meeting focused on bilateral military relations and broader security cooperation between Libya and France.
Haftar conveyed the greetings of the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to President Macron, and expressed appreciation for the warm reception extended to him and his accompanying delegation.
He praised France’s role in counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting what he described as years of constructive cooperation between the French Republic and the Libyan armed forces. According to Haftar, this cooperation has contributed to supporting stability in Libya and addressing a range of security threats.
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief stressed the General Command’s desire to further develop and strengthen relations with France across multiple fields. These include military training, capacity building, institutional development and the exchange of expertise, in line with the shared interests of both countries.
Haftar also underlined the importance of continued international support for Libya’s stability, unity and sovereignty, describing these objectives as a top priority for the Libyan military leadership.
The two sides reviewed the latest local, regional and international developments, and exchanged views on current security challenges. Both delegations emphasised the need for ongoing consultation and coordination, particularly in confronting terrorism and cross-border criminal networks.
The meeting reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between eastern Libyan authorities and key international partners, amid broader efforts to address Libya’s prolonged political and security crisis. Observers say the talks signal continued international interest in Libya’s security trajectory.
