On 12 July, Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief of Staff Khaled Haftar and acting Libyan Army Chief of Staff Salaheddin al-Namroush held a technical military meeting in Sirte alongside the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) and the 3+3 joint committees. The meeting was also attended by a UNSMIL delegation led by Deputy SRSG Stephanie Koury.
According to the LNA readout, Khaled Haftar noted that the current phase represents a significant national opportunity to strengthen the unity of the military institution, thereby contributing to the protection of the state and the preservation of its sovereignty. He emphasized the necessity of keeping the military institution insulated from political wrangling and ensuring it fulfills its national duties in the service of all Libyans. He commended the progress achieved by the 5+5 JMC and acknowledged the efforts of the 3+3 Committee in executing its assigned tasks and expressed appreciation to the leadership of AFRICOM for their efforts and support in facilitating meetings and coordination among the various parties.
Khaled Haftar affirmed that the LNA General Staff has worked to enhance military capabilities and boost unit readiness through training and professional development. He also announced a ‘readiness to leverage the General Staff’s resources and training institutions to cooperate with military personnel in the Western Region’. This initiative aims to train young members of various factions—in accordance with formal military standards—to become disciplined, regular military personnel, thereby fostering the creation of a unified military institution capable of protecting the nation.
The Libyan Army Chief of Staff’s readout noted that the meeting addressed several priority issues, emphasizing that the unity of the military institution is the sole option for protecting the nation, safeguarding its borders, and enhancing its stability. It said an agreement was also reached ‘to organize a unified tactical exercise involving Libyan Army personnel in the southern region, aimed at boosting combat readiness and fostering cooperation among various units.’
The meeting discussed mechanisms to support military personnel, enhance their capabilities, address their administrative and financial entitlements, and resolve any issues hindering their performance. Authorization was also granted to the chiefs of the specific service branches to hold monthly meetings with their respective departments, thereby contributing to improved institutional performance and strengthened coordination and joint action.
Various Libyan and international actors have welcomed the meeting.
LNA Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar welcomed the meeting in Sirte, praising the positive atmosphere which he said reflects a spirit of national responsibility and a sincere commitment to prioritizing the supreme national interest. He said he appreciated efforts made by the US and UNSMIL ‘to support initiatives aimed at building a unified, professional Libyan military institution that enhances Libya’s security and stability while safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.’ He concluded, ‘We will continue to work with seriousness and a sense of responsibility to build strong, effective institutions, protect Libya’s territory and borders, and consolidate national unity, ultimately achieving a unified Libyan army capable of performing its duties in defense of the nation.’
The Presidential Council (PC) issued a statement welcoming the meeting between the two Chiefs of Staff affirming that ‘this path represents an extension of the national efforts exerted by military leaders over the past years, which have contributed to consolidating communication channels and strengthening trust among the various military components.’ The PC sought to highlight its own role in facilitating the military dialogue while stressing ‘that any security or military arrangements or understandings must be made within the framework of legitimacy, in a manner that enhances the professionalism and unity of the military institution, and reinforces its subordination to the legitimate authority of the state in accordance with applicable legislation.’
PC Deputy Musa al-Koni issued his own statement (unsurprising given his current rift with al-Menfi and Abdullah al-Lafi, see below) welcoming the Sirte meeting as a positive step. At the same time, he used the opportunity to reiterate his grievances over the reshuffle of Libyan Intelligence Service (LIS) head position, affirming that ‘maintaining the credibility of this path requires avoiding any measures that lead to the division of other sovereign institutions.’ He said ‘it is untenable to strive for the unification of one institution while unilateral actions lead to the division of the Libyan intelligence apparatus.’
UNSMIL commended the participants’ ‘constructive engagement’ and said it remains dedicated to supporting this Libyan-led, Libyan-owned process through continued facilitation and international coordination.