Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, stated that the European Union must exert more efforts to support the political process for holding presidential and parliamentary elections and reaching a stage of permanent stability.
Haftar made these remarks during a meeting with the EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando and the accompanying delegation at his office in the General Command headquarters in Benghazi on Saturday.
The two parties discussed the latest local and regional developments and updates. Orlando praised “the role of the armed forces in maintaining security and stability, as well as their prominent role in reducing illegal migration,” according to a statement issued by the Libyan National Army.
Orlando is visiting the eastern region to meet with several officials and inspect various projects. Prior to his meeting with Haftar, he stated that the EU is working as Libya’s primary partner, focusing on cooperation and development across the country through its implementing partners.
Libya has been undergoing a complex political transition since the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, marked by fragmentation, armed conflicts, and competing power centers.
The United Nations has been facilitating peace efforts, including the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement.
Haftar has been a significant player in Libya’s political and security landscape, controlling vast territories in the east of the country.
The issue of illegal migration has been a major concern for both Libya and the European Union, with Libya serving as a key transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, leading to efforts to enhance border control and address migration challenges through cooperation between Libya and the EU.
