On November 1, 2026, Libyan naval officers from Tripoli and Benghazi gathered in Benghazi for a meeting to discuss preparations for a joint maritime exercise. The exercise aims to enforce Libya's sovereignty over its entire coastline. The meeting was attended by officers from the Libyan Navy's General Staff in Tripoli and the General Command in Benghazi. According to the Libyan Navy's General Staff in Benghazi, the meeting was a follow-up to a previous agreement between the two sides.
The meeting was welcomed by Rear Admiral Taher Al-Sa'eeti, Chief of the Libyan Navy's General Staff in Benghazi. Al-Sa'eeti emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination between the two sides to enhance institutional readiness and develop performance levels. The joint exercise is part of a broader effort to unify the Libyan military and enforce the country's sovereignty over its territorial waters.
The joint maritime exercise is part of a four-point plan agreed upon by the two sides, which includes joint military exercises, cooperation in the field of armament and equipment, logistical coordination, and exchange of personnel. The plan was agreed upon during a meeting in the city of Sirte on September 9, 2026, between the Chiefs of Staff of the Libyan Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense.
The Libyan Navy's General Staff in Benghazi stated that the meeting in Benghazi was a continuation of the Sirte meeting. The two sides aim to enhance cooperation and coordination to address common challenges, including combating smuggling and irregular migration. The joint exercise is expected to take place off the Libyan coast, with naval vessels from both Benghazi and Tripoli participating.
Rear Admiral Al-Sa'eeti emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation between the Libyan Navy's units to enforce the country's sovereignty over its territorial waters. He also highlighted the need to develop the capabilities of the Libyan Navy to address emerging challenges. The meeting in Benghazi was seen as a positive step towards unifying the Libyan military and enforcing the country's sovereignty.
The joint maritime exercise is part of a broader effort to stabilize Libya and address security challenges in the region. The exercise is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Libyan Navy and demonstrate the country's commitment to enforcing its sovereignty over its coastline. The meeting in Benghazi was seen as a significant step towards achieving these goals.
The Libyan Navy's General Staff in Benghazi stated that the joint exercise will be followed by further meetings and coordination between the two sides. The two sides aim to develop a comprehensive plan to address security challenges in the region and enhance cooperation between the Libyan Navy's units.
Key points
- The Libyan naval officers' meeting in Benghazi aims to enforce Libya's sovereignty over its coastline through joint maritime exercises.
- The meeting was a follow-up to a previous agreement between the Libyan Navy's General Staff in Tripoli and the General Command in Benghazi.
- The joint exercise is part of a broader effort to unify the Libyan military and address security challenges in the region.
