Last week, a high-level U.S. delegation led by AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan and Special Operations Command Africa Commander Rear Admiral Ronald Foy, along with Chargé d'Affaires Berndt, conducted a series of key meetings in Libya.

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A closer look

During their visit, the U.S. delegation met with prominent Libyan figures, including Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba, Tripoli's Chief of Staff General Mohamed Haddad, military officials in Misrata, and General Saddam Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Notably, Saddam Haftar is emerging as a key and preferred interlocutor for the United States regarding the LNA. Discussions focused on advancing collaboration in counterterrorism, bolstering border security, and expanding opportunities for Libyan officers to receive U.S. military education and professional development across the country.

Countering Russian influence and establishing new partnerships

The U.S. Embassy's proactive approach aims to cultivate partnerships and allies across Libya's political and military spectrum. This strategy seeks to counter Russia's growing influence, mitigate the risk of renewed conflict, and lay the groundwork for a unified Libyan military. Notably, this push comes despite limited political capital from Washington due to upcoming elections and other global crises, underscoring the Embassy's renewed commitment to Libya.

The U.S. engagement occurs against the backdrop of a growing Russian presence in Libya. This follows the death of Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in September 2023, which presented an opportunity for Moscow to improve relations with the LNA. Russia has capitalized on this opening, establishing a comfortable partnership and base of operations in eastern Libya, serving as a strategic hub for its African ambitions.

For the U.S., this renewed engagement follows a series of missed opportunities. Notably, General Haftar's past openness to U.S. engagement, including during visits by CIA and State Department officials, was not pursued sufficiently.

Challenges and opportunities for the U.S. in Libya

Any renewed United States engagement has to deal with two starkly different realities in Tripoli and Benghazi.

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