Libya deputy defense minister seeks support for military unification in Washington

Libya's Government of National Unity Deputy Defense Minister Abdussalam al-Zubi met with US officials in Washington to discuss support mechanisms for unifying Libya's military institution and strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

Scraper SystemJune 26, 2026, 09:41 AM

Libya deputy defense minister seeks support for military unification in Washington

Libya's Government of National Unity Deputy Defense Minister Abdussalam al-Zubi held high-level talks in the US capital, Washington. The discussions focused on mechanisms for supporting efforts to unify Libya's military institution and strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries.

According to a written statement from the Government of National Unity, al-Zubi met with Massad Boulos, Senior Director for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs at the White House, and John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), during his meetings at the US State Department.

The statement said the two sides discussed support steps for efforts to unify Libya's military institution, as well as ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Libya and the US in military and security fields and prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The meeting also addressed increasing coordination in counterterrorism efforts, securing borders, and jointly combating cross-border threats. These steps are aimed at contributing to Libya's stability and bolstering regional security.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continuous coordination and consultation between their countries' military and security institutions. This approach, they stated, would support the building of professional and unified security and military institutions and enhance the Libyan state's capacity to protect its sovereignty and establish security and stability across the country.

Background of Washington talks

Al-Zubi's meetings took place as part of a visit to the US that included a series of talks with officials from the US administration and military and security institutions to discuss the future of bilateral cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Libya's military institution remains divided between forces under the command of Khalifa Haftar in the east and forces loyal to the Government of National Unity in the west. This structure is conducting unification negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations through the Joint Military Committee (5+5) format, which includes five military officials from each side.

Libya is currently experiencing a political division with two governments. The Government of National Unity, based in the capital Tripoli and headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, administers the western part of the country, while a government based in Benghazi in the east, appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022 and headed by Osama Hammad, controls the east and most cities in the south.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has been working for years to end the conflict between the two governments and pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections that would end the prolonged transitional periods since 2011, but these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

Libya deputy defense minister seeks support for military unification in Washington