Saddam Haftar Meets Marco Rubio in Washington to Discuss Army Unification Initiative
The visit of Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the armed forces in eastern Libya, to Washington comes only days after a similar visit by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Government of National Unity, reflecting ongoing U.S. efforts to advance the unification of Libya’s institutions.
Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the armed forces in eastern Libya, held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Washington’s initiative aimed at resolving the Libyan crisis and unifying the country’s military. The meeting took place during the Libyan military official’s visit to the United States, according to separate statements issued on Monday by the eastern Libyan forces and the U.S. Department of State. Observers believe that the White House is exerting increasing pressure to encourage the unification of Libya’s state institutions.
The eastern forces stated that Haftar met Rubio in Washington in the presence of Massad Boulos, the U.S. President’s Senior Adviser for Arab and African Affairs, as part of an official visit to the United States.
The two sides discussed the latest developments in Libya’s political landscape as well as key aspects of the U.S. initiative.
They also explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors in order to reinforce strategic partnerships and promote shared interests.
The command of the eastern Libyan armed forces had previously expressed its willingness to engage in negotiations concerning the initiative, considering it a potential opportunity to break the prolonged political deadlock, pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement, organize national elections, and end the country’s institutional division.
Last Thursday in Washington, Abdul Salam Al-Zoubi, Deputy Minister of Defense of Libya’s Government of National Unity, also met with U.S. officials to discuss mechanisms for supporting the unification of Libya’s military institution and strengthening military and security cooperation.
For several months, discussions have circulated in Libya regarding a U.S.-backed initiative to resolve the country’s crisis. Massad Boulos recently confirmed the existence of the initiative without providing further details.
According to circulating reports, the proposal envisions merging the Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, with the government appointed by the House of Representatives under Osama Hammad into a single government headed by Dbeibah, while a new Presidential Council would be chaired by Saddam Haftar.
In its statement, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that Rubio met with Haftar and that their discussions focused on ongoing efforts to unify Libya’s military, economic, and political institutions.
Libya’s military establishment remains divided into two branches: one in the east under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and another in the west affiliated with the Government of National Unity. Talks aimed at unifying the military are being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya through the Joint Military Commission (5+5), composed of five military representatives from each side.
The State Department added that the United States would remain at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to support Libya’s unity and help create the conditions necessary for the establishment of a democratically elected government capable of leading the country.
For years, the United Nations has been working to resolve disputes among Libya’s institutions, which continue to obstruct the organization of parliamentary and presidential elections in the oil-rich country.
Libyans hope that the long-awaited elections will bring an end to the political and armed conflicts, as well as the prolonged transitional periods that have persisted since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime (1969–2011).
