Leslie Ordman, the American Chargé d’Affaires in Libya, reaffirmed today, Friday, that the United States is eager to collaborate with a single Libyan army capable of defending the nation.
He continued by saying that although this path is difficult, once it is completed, it will tremendously aid Libya in becoming a source of stability and national pride.
The Libyan people deserve an elected democratic administration that represents a united Libya, he continued, as well as a cohesive army capable of defending their nation.
The Chief of Staff of the Army in Tripoli, Lieutenant General Mohamed El Haddad, and the Commander-in-Chief in charge of the Libyan army, Lieutenant General Abdul-Razzaq Al-Nadori, had multiple meetings to consider strategies to bring the military together.
The military establishment in Libya has been divided for more than 7 years between armed militias, rival military battalions, and security services in the western part of the country, and a single army in the eastern part of the nation. This division has had a negative impact on Libya’s security situation.
The talks to reunify the military establishment have repeatedly failed despite international assistance and mediation from parties involved in Libyan affairs. The main obstacle is the disagreement over who should be the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army, along with a complete lack of confidence and the militia’s refusal to give up their weapons.
American Embassy: We anticipate cooperating with an organised Libyan army.
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