Source: United States AFRICOM
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori, Director of Intelligence, U.S. Africa Command, met with Libyan leaders, Feb. 4-6, to promote increased security cooperation between the United States and Libya.
The two generals and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Libya Jeremy Berndt met with officials from both the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Libya National Army (LNA) in locations throughout Libya, to include Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sirte, a city where U.S. support to the fight against Da’ish in 2016 helped the people of Sirte and the surrounding region regain peace and stability.
While there, leaders from both the GNU and LNA expressed commitment to greater military unification and cooperation efforts through face-to-face engagements and training that benefits both sides, contributing to Libyan efforts to overcome divisions and foster unity.
“This week was a significant step in forwarding our efforts with Libya’s civilian and military leaders throughout the country,” said Brennan. “Brigadier General Keravuori and I were able to meet with leaders at various levels, to include tactical unit levels, to see where the United States can serve as a catalyst to bring about a unified country able to defeat malign actors who threaten North Africa and U.S. security interests.”
In Benghazi, Brennan, Keravuori and Chargé d’Affaires Berndt met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar. The leaders discussed U.S.-Libya cooperation supporting stability in the country and Libyan-led efforts to reunify military institutions.
The U.S. delegation spent time in Tripoli where they engaged with GNU Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Defense Abdul Hamid Dabaiba and Deputy Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Abdel Salam Zubi, discussing security cooperation, efforts to promote regional stability, and Libyan-led efforts to unify its military and security institutions.
Leaders also met with GNU Chief of Staff General Mohammed Haddad, Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salah Namroush, and the Director of Military Intelligence and 444 Commander Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Hamza where topics of discussion included professional development of Libya’s military and opportunities to strengthen bilateral defense ties.
Finally, Brennan and Keravuori traveled to Sirte and met again with Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar and visited several tactical units as well as the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) Headquarters. There they explored training and technical assistance opportunities to enhance cooperation among Libyan security forces throughout the country in accordance with recent United Nations Arms Embargo modifications granted by the U.N. Security Council.
“We thank our partners in the east and west for receiving us and continuing to engage with us on their important efforts to reunify the Libyan military,” said Chargé d’Affaires Berndt. “A strong and unified Libyan military will help Libya safeguard its sovereignty in the face of malign actors and regional instability.”
“On this trip we were able to witness a lot of positive reconstruction and efforts to increase military professionalism in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sirte. What we observed demonstrates Libyan resolve, resilience and desire for stability, economic development, and prosperity through cooperation with the U.S. government and private investment,” said Brennan. “A stronger and more unified Libya is better for the people of Libya and for regional security. We look forward to building on existing defense activities and investments that move toward our shared goals of a safe, secure, and prosperous Libya.”
U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
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