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Libyan Military Officials Discuss Army Unification in Egypt

Members of the Libyan National Army. Reuters file photo
Members of the Libyan National Army. Reuters file photo
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Libyan Military Officials Discuss Army Unification in Egypt

Members of the Libyan National Army. Reuters file photo
Members of the Libyan National Army. Reuters file photo

The seventh round of Libyan army reunification talks resumed in Egypt this week with the participation of senior leaders from the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls eastern Libya, and the forces of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA).

LNA Spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mesmari announced in a brief statement on his Facebook account the resumption of the meetings in Cairo on Wednesday under the auspices of Egypt.

No further details were provided about the meetings’ agenda or those who attended.

The former spokesman of GNA’s Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Ghassari, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the representative of the Presidential Council participated in the seventh round of talks.

A military source also told the newspaper that the Cairo talks will inevitably face the same obstacles as previous meetings, including the issue of “hierarchy within the military institutions”, in reference to people who have been recruited from outside the army within its ranks during the last two years.

The source pointed out that the reference of GNA representatives in the Cairo talks is the Skhirat agreement signed in Morocco at the end of 2015, which assigned the post of supreme commander of the Libyan army to the head of the Presidential Council.

The spokesman of “al-Bunyan al-Marsous” that ousted ISIS militants from Sirte, Brigadier Mohammed al-Ghosri, indicated that the Operation has not received an invitation to attend the Cairo meetings, though he welcomed the efforts exerted by Egyptian authorities to unite the Libyan military.

Speaking to Asharq al-Awsat, Ghosri said that "the unification of the military institution in Libya is not difficult and is possible to achieve," but he pointed out that "it requires unified visions and efforts to formulate a national project that works for the country’s goodwill.”

The last meeting was in March and included 45 high-ranking officers, with the first-time participation of the Chief of Staff of the General Command of LNA, Abdul Razek al-Nadoori, and the chief of staff of the internationally-recognized GNA, Major General Abdel Rahman al-Taweel.

Since its launch in September 2017, the talks between Libyan military commanders have succeeded in a relative rapprochement, with an agreement on "the organizational structure of the Libyan military establishment, and the establishment of the Supreme Defense Council, National Security Council and the General Command Council."

Deputy chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives Omar Ghaith said that all the political forces in Libya are waiting for the results of the Cairo talks, pointing out that the creation of a national army will be the first step in the unification of the executive authority and preparation for the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Ghaith told Asharq Al-Awsat that "there are fears and mistrust among the officers gathered in Cairo as a result of the political conflict."

However, they are all joined by the country’s need to unify the military institution, which will be an incentive for them to put the country’s interest first, he said.

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Barham Salih to Asharq Al-Awsat: Region Nearing Crisis…Iraq Best Witness to Violence

Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Barham Salih to Asharq Al-Awsat: Region Nearing Crisis…Iraq Best Witness to Violence

Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Barham Salih with Asharq Al-Awsat colleague Najlaa Habreiri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Former Iraqi President Barham Salih warned that the Middle East is on the edge of a crisis but remains hopeful, citing growing international efforts to stop the ongoing war.
He also pointed to Iraq’s fragile situation, with local groups becoming more involved in the conflict.
Speaking at a panel in London organized by Asharq Al-Awsat and moderated by journalist Najlaa Habriri, Salih—who was president from 2018 to 2022—shared his thoughts on key political and historical events in Iraq and the region.
This event was the first in a series of talks with policymakers, business leaders, and academics hosted by Asharq Al-Awsat as part of SRMG’s initiatives.
A New Face for the Middle East
Salih believes the Middle East is entering a dangerous new phase, with the current conflict giving the region a “new face.”
“We’re witnessing a great tragedy. The destruction in Gaza is now spreading to Lebanon,” Salih said.
He expressed concern over growing anger in the Arab world due to repeated cycles of violence but stressed the need for change.
“We must move away from this crisis and find new ways to help the region grow and stabilize,” he said.
Salih called for bold action, urging leaders to cool the rising tensions and prevent further loss of innocent lives. He also shared cautious optimism after recent talks with policymakers in Baghdad and Washington, noting efforts to calm the situation.
“I hear there’s serious work underway to de-escalate, and while I can't guarantee success, I still have hope for a ceasefire,” he said.
Salih expected a temporary halt to fighting, allowing people to return home, but emphasized the need for fresh thinking to end the conflict.
“We can't go back to the old ways without addressing the root causes of violence,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Salih acknowledged ongoing global efforts, especially from Washington, to reduce the war’s catastrophic impact on the region.
Iraq at the Heart of the Storm
For the former Iraqi president, Iraq is “the best example of the consequences of violence,” and now the country faces a tough situation, caught between conflicting interests.
However, Salih is confident that “the decision to go to war in Iraq lies solely with the state,” not with the various groups pushing for escalation.
Salih noted that Iraqis don’t just offer sympathy—they provide real support, as shown with the Palestinians and now the Lebanese. He pointed to the flow of humanitarian aid from both government and civilian sources, stressing that in Iraq, there is widespread support for just causes.
Despite this, Salih warned that Iraq’s own challenges “make it clear that the country should avoid getting involved in more conflict.”
While Iraq’s stability is fragile, he believes it can be maintained if the country steers clear of the ongoing escalation.
Salih reflected on Iraq’s history of violence and conflict since 1958 but expressed optimism after meeting with Iraqi leaders.
“I was in Baghdad two months ago, and the main topic was clear: either we become a strong state, or we don’t. There’s no middle ground,” he said.
Salih insisted that “the decision for war or peace is a national one, not something that can be decided by any group or movement.”
He voiced concern that some factions are pushing Iraq into deeper involvement in the regional conflict, warning that this could lead to broader, more destructive consequences.
“We must be careful to avoid being dragged into a wider regional war. Iraq needs time to heal,” he noted.
While Iraq holds deep support for the Palestinian cause, Salih emphasized that “slogans won’t solve anything. The solution is in taking concrete steps to help Palestinians and Lebanese, both of whom are suffering from the conflict.”
“Anyone seeking a better Middle East must firmly support the Palestinians' right to a state and their rights as a people,” he affirmed.
US Withdrawal from Iraq
“Yes, there’s an agreement,” Salih said, referring to discussions between Washington and Baghdad on the future of the US-led international coalition in Iraq.
He suggested the topic was likely addressed during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York.
An announcement about shifting the international coalition’s mission and gradually withdrawing US combat forces was expected, but Salih noted the recent escalation in Lebanon may have delayed it.
“Talks are ongoing, but nothing is finalized,” he added.
Salih acknowledged the key role US forces played in defeating ISIS, but emphasized that countries, including Iraq, seek full sovereignty.
While many believe Iraq’s stronger military means foreign troops are no longer needed, Salih disagrees. He argued that Iraq still requires intelligence support, especially for counterterrorism operations.
He pointed to reports of potential terrorist resurgence in the region, particularly in Syria.
“There are tens of thousands of angry individuals in the Middle East who could become a ticking time bomb, threatening Iraq and its neighbors. Just look at what’s happening in Idlib and the reappearance of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani,” said Salih.
He stressed that the risks are clear, even without specific intelligence.
“This is a global challenge, not just Iraq’s,” stressed Salih.
“I’m proud of the progress made by Iraqi forces, but there’s still a need for intelligence-sharing, especially in air operations,” he affirmed.