On 12 January, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Williams Burns arrived in Tripoli to meet with the Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister, Abdul Hameed Dabaiba. They reportedly discussed Libya’s relationship with Russia, current counterterrorism efforts, and the necessity for Libya to maintain steady levels of oil production. Also in attendance were: US Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy to Libya, Leslie Ordman; Libyan Director of General Intelligence Services, Hussein Muhammad al-Aib; Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs; Adel Jumaa; and GNU Foreign Minister, Najla Mangoush. Burns also travelled to Benghazi to meet with the Commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, to discuss Libya’s ties with Russia and terrorism issues. According to reports, Burns warned against Libya developing a strong relationship with Russia.
