The Prime Minister of Libya’s unity government, Fayez Sarraj, met Aug. 24 with Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Jonathan M. Winer, U.S. State Department Special Envoy for Libya, at AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, to discuss the current U.S. Government support to the Libyan Government of National Accord.

Prime Minister Sarraj and the GNA’s Chairman of the Temporary Security Committee, Brig. Gen. Abdul-Rahman al-Taweel, along with the Prime Minister's Political Advisor, Taher El-Sonni, received an information brief inside AFRICOM’s Joint Operations Center. The update focused on the GNA’s requested U.S. precision close air strike support to the GNA’s forces, “al-Bunyan al-Marsos,” liberation of Sirte from Daesh. Waldhauser and Winer reiterated their support for GNA efforts and throughout the visit, the three discussed strategic options for Libya’s future once Sirte is liberated.

Specifically, discussions were held on our partnership in countering terrorism, the GNA’s desire for U.S. assistance with future enhanced military capabilities and defense capacity building, to include a desire for greater and more open military-to-military training and information sharing.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the U.S. commitment to supporting the GNA’s efforts to counter Daesh and gained a comprehensive understanding of AFRICOM and Operation Odyssey Lightning. The meeting provided participants an opportunity to discuss building a common path forward to promote Libyan stability and security." (End)

To view photos of Prime Minister Sarraj's visit to U.S. Africa Command, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/africom/albums/72157671954330411