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🛒 تسوق الآنEastern Libya Army Chief Praises US President's Role in Promoting Bilateral Partnership
Eastern Libya Army Chief Praises US President's Role in Promoting Bilateral Partnership
Saddam Haftar thanks Washington for peace push as US-led unity initiative moves forward
Benghazi, Libya — The deputy commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, has praised US President Donald Trump's directives to bring peace to Libya, highlighting Washington's growing role in promoting strategic partnership between the two countries. The statement, reported by Panafrican News Agency (PANA), underscores deepening alignment between eastern Libyan authorities and the Trump administration's Libya initiative.
Speaking after a landmark meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 29, Haftar expressed appreciation for Trump's "directives to bring peace to Libya," according to Libyan outlet Al Marsad. The meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement between the LNA command and the Trump administration, representing a significant shift in US diplomatic strategy toward Libya's eastern faction.
Landmark Washington Meeting
The talks at the State Department brought together Rubio, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, and Saddam Haftar — the son of LNA commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Discussions focused on "ongoing Libyan-led efforts to unify the country's military, economic, and political institutions," the State Department confirmed.
Rubio said he appreciated Libyan leaders' efforts to "overcome divisions and move toward unity," adding that the "US will remain at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to support Libyan unity and create conditions for national elections." The LNA's statement noted that both sides discussed "developments in the Libyan political landscape" and "prospects of developing bilateral cooperation supporting strategic partnerships."
US Peace Initiative Gains Ground
The Washington meeting is part of a broader US push to resolve Libya's decade-long crisis. Massad Boulos — Trump's top advisor on Arab and African affairs — has led the initiative, shuttling between Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata in recent weeks to build consensus around a unity plan. In early July, Boulos traveled to Misrata to meet opponents of the initiative, demonstrating Washington's willingness to engage skeptical factions directly.
On July 6, representatives of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern General Command met in Valletta, Malta, to discuss obstacles facing the US proposal. Both sides presented their observations in talks mediated by Pakistan, which has emerged as an unexpected diplomatic broker in the Libyan file.
Tangible Progress Amid Continued Divisions
The initiative builds on significant recent milestones. In April 2026, with American mediation, Libya's rival governments approved a unified national budget for the first time since 2013 — a breakthrough unlocking international funding. Libyan forces from both sides also participated in Flintlock 2026, AFRICOM-sponsored military exercises held on Libyan soil for the first time, which Haftar said "reaffirms Libya's position as a reliable partner in regional peace and security."
However, opposition remains. The Misrata Military Council condemned the initiative, warning it would "pave the way for another transitional phase" rather than genuine elections. Critics argue the proposal risks entrenching Khalifa Haftar's family rule rather than building democratic institutions. Dozens of protesters gathered at Misrata airport to oppose Boulos's visit, describing the US plan as a "suspicious deal" serving only select factions.
What Lies Ahead
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced that the joint 4+4 military committee agreed on a "final agreement" text, expected to be unveiled next week. The agreement reportedly outlines a roadmap for unified governance, military integration, and national elections — goals that have remained elusive since 2011.
International partners including Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Italy, and France are closely watching the US push, with varying degrees of support. Turkey, which backs the Tripoli government, has expressed cautious optimism while insisting on an inclusive political process.
Saddam Haftar's praise for Trump's role signals that eastern Libya views the current US administration as a credible broker. Whether Washington can translate this goodwill into a lasting settlement remains the defining question for Libya's fragile peace process.
— Libya Press / Politics Desk
