Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), welcomed US Special Envoy Ambassador Richard Norland and Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt in Sabha. The meeting, held in southern Libya, marked the first visit by a senior US ambassador to the region since its security situation improved.
The discussions centered on the pivotal role of southern Libya in fostering regional stability, with emphasis on enhancing cooperation and coordination across key areas. The meeting also reflected ongoing international efforts to support the unification of Libya’s security institutions.
The US Embassy later issued a statement on its X platform quoting Ambassador Norland:
“Chargé d’Affaires Berndt and I appreciated our meeting with LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar and other senior security officials in Sabha. We discussed the critical role southern Libya plays in regional stability, as well as the importance of safeguarding Libya’s sovereignty and overcoming its divisions. The United States will continue to engage with Libyan military leaders from all parts of the country to support Libyan efforts to unify security institutions.”
The visit highlighted international recognition of southern Libya’s growing stability and acknowledged the efforts of leaders like Khalifa in securing the region and contributing to national unity.
