The chargé d’affaires of the United States, Jeremy Berndt, was also present
Soldecanarias.net / Adeje
A delegation from the United States Africa Command (Africom), led by Generals John Brennan and Pedro Keravnori, met in Benghazi with Saddam Haftar, Chief of Staff of the Land Forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by the latter’s father, Khalifa Haftar.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Libya, the meeting focused on ways to “strengthen security cooperation between the United States and Libya, as well as support for Libyan-led efforts to reunify military and security institutions.” Also present was the chargé d’affaires of the United States, Jeremy Berndt.
The meeting is part of the strategic dialogue between Washington and the Libyan authorities, aimed at promoting stability, security and reforms in the defense sector. During the visit, the US delegation also toured LNA military facilities. “We thank Lieutenant General Haftar for the excellent welcome and visit to the LNA infrastructure,” said the US Embassy in X.
Libyan “field marshal” (the highest military rank, equivalent to a five-star general) Khalifa Haftar had stressed in the meeting with senior AFRICOM officials “the importance of the central role of the United States and its contribution in resolving the Libyan crisis,” praising the progress in bilateral relations and the expansion of cooperation between the two sides.
For his part, Brennan had expressed to Haftar his “appreciation for the efforts made by the LNA in consolidating security and stability, as well as in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” the LNA reported in a statement. The Africom military representative stressed that “the continuation of these efforts is essential to guarantee the stability of the region.”
The US delegation’s visit to Benghazi follows that of the British Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy and Operations, Air Force General Harvey Smyth. Also on that occasion, talks focused on the prospects of ensuring long-term security and stability in Libya and the region.
