The U.S. Embassy in Libya clarified the contents of a message delivered by U.S. Africa Command leader General Michael Langely and U.S. Special Envoy to Libya Richard Norland to Libyan political leaders.
General Langley and Ambassador Norland arrived in Tripoli earlier today and met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah at the Ministry of Defense, alongside Chief of Staff Muhammad Al-Haddad. The meetings are part of a series the U.S. delegation will hold with military and political officials.
In a statement published by the U.S. Embassy, General Langley said, “Ambassador Norland and I affirmed in our meeting today with Prime Minister Dbeibah the United States’ support for Libya’s national efforts to aid those in need in areas impacted by the flooding.”
He added, “It is now more important than ever that all of Libya’s political leaders work together in service of the Libyan people.”
The meetings focused on organizing U.S. support to flood-ravaged areas through the Government of National Unity and its executive bodies and field teams in eastern Libya. Other topics included border security, counterterrorism, regional security developments, and their impact on Libya’s stability.
The visit comes as the U.S. aims to pressure General Haftar to expel Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group and unite his forces with other factions, according to the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. is concerned about Wagner’s growing presence in Africa, where it operates in at least six countries.