Senior military commanders from Libya’s eastern and western factions have met in Sirte in a renewed effort to reunify the country’s divided armed forces. The talks brought together Khaled Haftar, chief of staff of the eastern-based Libyan National Army, and Salah al-Din al-Namroush, chief of general staff under the Government of National Unity.
The meeting was described as the first of its kind on Libyan soil for the two senior officers, underscoring the significance of the moment in a country where military fragmentation has long mirrored political division. United Nations envoy Stephanie Koury and other senior officers from both sides also attended the discussions.
According to statements from the meeting, both camps agreed that unifying the armed forces is the only viable path to safeguarding Libya’s borders and restoring stability. The participants also agreed to hold a joint military exercise in the south of the country and to continue monthly coordination between service chiefs.
The talks come after years of failed attempts to bridge Libya’s military split, which has persisted since the post-2011 collapse of central authority. Previous rounds of dialogue have focused on issues such as joint command structures, border security, and the reintegration of military institutions.
Although Libya’s rival camps have made similar promises before, the Sirte meeting has raised cautious hopes that progress may finally be possible. For now, the talks remain part of a broader UN-backed effort to build common institutions and move the country closer to long-term political reconciliation.
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