For the first time since the fall of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, military leaders from Libya’s east and west are gearing up for joint military exercises sponsored by the United States, seen as an effort to unify the military institution that has been divided for more than a decade.
In Sirte, US Africa Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John Brennan announced that Flintlock 2026, AFRICOM’s premier annual Special Forces exercise, will have a key location in Libya, with the participation of security forces from all regions of the country, as well as Italy and other key partners, the US embassy said in a statement.
“We are honored that a spoke of this important event will take place in Sirte, Libya, a city that has previously witnessed strong US-Libya security collaboration in countering terrorism, and will continue to support our joint professional training efforts, strengthening our shared commitment to regional stability, peace, and prosperity,” said Brennan.
He thanked security forces from east and west of Libya, as well as the Italian government, for facilitating the preparations for the joint exercise.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with our Libyan partners from throughout the country to achieve our shared goals for regional peace and mutual prosperity,” the statement quoted Brennan as saying.
According to the embassy, Brennan and Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt, met with Libyan National Army (LNA) deputy commander Gen. Saddam Haftar in Sirte on Tuesday night to discuss ways to strengthen US-Libya defense ties and US support for Libyan efforts to unify military institutions.
