The US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, has stated that Libya is a sovereign state with the freedom to conclude agreements with foreign countries to develop the infrastructure of its military bases or host forces from those countries. This statement was made by the spokesperson for AFRICOM on Thursday. The comment comes as Libya navigates its security and military development amid ongoing political and security challenges.
According to the AFRICOM spokesperson, the goal of US coordination with Libya is to achieve a unified Libyan government capable of asserting the country's full sovereignty and assuming responsibility for its security. This goal aligns with international efforts to stabilize Libya and support its transition towards greater stability and security.
AFRICOM has welcomed the continued dialogue between military representatives in eastern and western Libya, viewing this cooperation as a positive step towards building a unified, professional, and accountable security institution under Libyan leadership. Such efforts are seen as crucial for Libya's long-term stability and security.
The spokesperson highlighted that Libya has made significant steps towards reuniting its military institution over the past year. This progress includes ongoing meetings with senior military leaders and Libya's participation in the "Flintlock 2026" exercise as one of the hosting countries. The exercise demonstrated the importance of training Libyan forces from different parts of the country together.
The "Flintlock 2026" exercise also underscored the value of international cooperation in enhancing Libya's security capabilities, particularly in combating terrorism, securing borders, and improving interoperability among Libyan forces. Such exercises are part of broader international efforts to support Libya's security sector.
AFRICOM has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with Libyan partners in line with US policy and shared priorities. This cooperation includes enhancing Libya's ability to monitor and disrupt the activities of terrorist organizations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other armed groups operating in the region.
The US Africa Command's stance on Libya's sovereignty and security development reflects a broader international commitment to supporting Libya's stability and security. By working together, the international community aims to help Libya build a secure and stable future.
Key points
- Libya is free to make deals with foreign countries on military bases and hosting forces.
- AFRICOM supports a unified Libyan government and security institution.
- Libya has made progress in reuniting its military and participated in the "Flintlock 2026" exercise.
