U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in pivotal discussions on Monday with Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of Libya’s eastern armed forces, in a bid to address the country’s enduring institutional rifts and foster greater political and security collaboration.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott disclosed that Secretary Rubio and Deputy Commander Haftar deliberated on the ongoing Libyan-led initiatives aimed at unifying the nation’s military, economic, and political frameworks.
Rubio conveyed his “appreciation” for the efforts of local leaders striving to mend current divisions and work toward a comprehensive national resolution.
The Washington, D.C. meeting placed emphasis on establishing the groundwork for a democratically elected government, as confirmed by Pigott.
“The dialogue centered on exploring potential cooperation for advancing unity and peace in Libya,” Pigott stated.
The U.S. plans to continue being “at the forefront of diplomatic efforts” to bolster Libyan unity, according to the spokesperson.
These discussions come in the wake of reports indicating the State Department’s plans to welcome representatives from Libya’s eastern and western factions in Washington later this month.
Libya continues to be split between two rival governments: Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s administration in Tripoli, which controls the western regions, and the House of Representatives-backed government of Osama Hammad in Benghazi, overseeing the east and much of the south.
U.N.-led endeavors to conduct national elections remain gridlocked, extending the turmoil and instability that has plagued the oil-rich nation for over a decade.
