Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday met with the top US commander in the Africa region along with the US ambassador to the country.
US Ambassador in Tripoli Richard Norland and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) head Gen. Stephen Townsend arrived at Zuwarah Airport, west of the capital Tripoli, Libya Al-Ahrar TV reported.
Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga and Osama al-Juweili, the military commander of the western region, were also present at the closed-door meeting.
During the meeting, officials discussed recent military and security developments in Libya and US efforts to stabilize the country, according to a written statement released by the Libyan government.
Cooperation with AFRICOM in the fight against terrorism and joint coordination as part of the strategic cooperation between the Libyan government and the US were also discussed.
Libyan officials’ reaction against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s statements over the weekend was also discussed.
On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi suggested that Cairo could launch "external military missions" into Libya "if required," saying that "any direct intervention in Libya has already become legitimate internationally."
Al-Sisi said the city of Sirte and al-Jufra airbase are a "red line," calling on his army to "be prepared to carry out any mission here within our borders, or if necessary outside our borders."
The UN recognizes the Libyan government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj as the country's legitimate authority as Tripoli battles the militias of eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar.
The government launched Operation Peace Storm against Haftar in March to counter attacks on the capital, Tripoli, and recently liberated strategic locations, including Tarhuna, Haftar's final stronghold in western Libya.
It has condemned military support from Egypt, the UAE, France and Russia for Haftar's attacks on Tripoli, which began in April 2019.
* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat and Zehra Nur Duz
