US Secretary Rubio Meets Libyan Commander

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), on Monday to discuss strategies for unifying Libya’s fractured political and military institutions. The meeting marks a significant escalation in Washington’s diplomatic engagement, as the Trump administration seeks to resolve the long-standing power struggle between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the eastern-based administration supported by the LNA.

The diplomatic push, coordinated by White House adviser Massad Boulos, aims to consolidate control over Libya’s economic and security sectors. Following a US-brokered agreement in April that unified public sector spending and National Oil Corporation operations, the current strategy focuses on integrating military forces. This initiative follows a pattern of increased US involvement, including joint military drills conducted in Sirte last year.

The LNA, led by Khalifa Haftar, has functioned as the de facto authority in eastern Libya since 2016. By engaging directly with Saddam Haftar, the US is attempting to bridge the divide that has persisted since the 2011 collapse of the Gaddafi regime. Officials indicated that if negotiations succeed, the US may host a formal signing ceremony in Washington to finalize a unity agreement between the competing factions.