Presidential Council Calls for Unified Military Command (July 15, 2026)
Following recent military meetings in Sirte and Luanda, Presidential Council head Mohamed Al-Menfi has publicly urged for decisive action to unify Libya's military institution under a single, professional, and neutral command subject to civilian authority. Al-Menfi emphasized that the current practice of dual military representation at international forums—highlighted by the separate participation of Western Region Chief of Staff Salah Al-Namroush and General Command Chief of Staff Khaled Haftar—is unsustainable and necessitates an urgent national resolution to consolidate the armed forces.
Local Source: Al Wasat
Clarification of Military Leadership Meeting in Sirte (July 15, 2026)
New reports clarify that the recent military meeting in Sirte involved Chief of Staff of the General Command, Khaled Haftar, and the Chief of General Staff for the Western Region, Salah Al-Namroush. This meeting, which also included the 5+5 and 3+3 military committees and representatives from UNSMIL, serves as a follow-up to the initial discussions held in Luanda, Angola. Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the General Command, publicly welcomed the talks, framing them as a national effort to unify the military institution under professional and neutral leadership.
Local Source: Al Wasat
Libyan Military Leaders Hold First Joint Meeting in Sirte (July 15, 2026)
In a significant development for the unification of Libya's military, the Chief of Staff of the Benghazi-based General Command, Khaled Haftar, and the Chief of General Staff of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, Mohamed Al-Haddad, held their first meeting on Libyan soil in the city of Sirte. The meeting, which also included members of the 5+5 and 3+3 military committees, was held under the auspices of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
The 5+5 Joint Military Committee issued a statement expressing its full support for the initiative, emphasizing its commitment to fostering trust between the two military factions to achieve full unification. This meeting follows an initial encounter between the two chiefs of staff in Luanda, Angola, and aligns with calls from Presidential Council head Mohamed Al-Menfi to establish a unified, professional, and neutral military command under civilian authority.
Local Source: Al Wasat