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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt, USAID Senior Development Advisor (SDA) Ms. Maura Barry-Boyle, and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader traveled to Libya on August 27 and on August 29, to further cooperation between the U.S. and Libya.

During his visit, Langley and Berndt met with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba, President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Menfi, and General Mohamed al-Haddad, Chief of the General Staff, Libyan Armed Forces in Tripoli. In Benghazi, Langley met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Libyan National Army and other senior LNA leaders.

“I am pleased to join General Langley on this long-planned visit to Libya to discuss with defense and security leaders in the west and the east how the United States can contribute to unifying Libyan military forces and securing the nation’s sovereignty,” Berndt said.

In June, Langley met with Libyan military leaders in Botswana during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference where they discussed regional security issues and strategies to bring about stability and peace in the region. 

"It was a pleasure meeting with civilian and military leaders throughout Libya and discussing ways to support the unification of security institutions," Langley said. "Libya's strength depends upon its unity. The United States stands ready to reinforce existing bonds and forge new partnerships with those who champion democracy, in pursuit of a safer, more prosperous Libya."

 Langley's last trip to Libya was on Sept. 22, 2023, when he met with Libyan officials and U.S. Embassy colleagues to discuss the ongoing humanitarian response to the flooding from Storm Daniel in the country. The United States has provided over $900 million in assistance to Libya since 2011, including nearly $275 million for humanitarian assistance.

"The United States and Libya share the goal of enhanced partnership and cooperation, and we look forward to continuing to work together to secure Libya’s sovereignty and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region," Langley stated. During the meetings, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba, President Mohamed Menfi, and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar expressed a desire to expand security engagement with the U.S.

The command believes in the importance of the "3D" approach - diplomacy, defense, and development - and is working to strengthen its relationship with Libya in each of these dimensions. U.S. assistance builds the capacity of Libyan institutions, promotes political reconciliation, responds to humanitarian needs, increases Libya's capacity to govern effectively by holding free and fair elections, secures Libyan territory, and promotes transparent and accountable management of public finances.

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.