Boulos reviews with Dbeibah boosting military, security cooperation between eastern and western Libya

US President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser for Arab and African, Massad Boulos, discussed with Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdulhamid Dbeibah the steps needed to advance Libya’s unification efforts, including strengthening military and security cooperation between the country’s east and west.

During a phone call on Sunday, the two sides also discussed opportunities to enhance coordination and operational integration between Libyan forces and the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), according to a post by Boulos on X.

Boulos reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Libya’s unification efforts in pursuit of lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat published on Sunday, Boulos said Washington’s diplomatic efforts in Libya are making notable progress, noting that representatives from eastern and western Libya have begun setting aside their differences in favor of the national interest.

He said tangible progress has been achieved since July 2025, leading to agreement on a unified development program and the adoption of a unified budget, describing these as important steps toward unifying Libya’s state institutions.

Boulos added that the United States also succeeded in bringing together military forces from eastern and western Libya in Sirte to participate in the Flintlock 26 exercises, expressing hope that the initiative would help build trust between the military institutions while efforts continue to unify governance between the east and west as the foundation for stability and democratic elections.

He stressed that any political initiative must be inclusive and involve Libya’s diverse political forces and institutions, emphasizing that Washington is consulting a broad range of stakeholders and engaging with communities across the country to ensure an inclusive political process.

Boulos also reiterated US support for the UN Support Mission in Libya’s roadmap and continued coordination with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh, explaining that the US role is intended to complement—not replace—the UN-led process.

He emphasized that the final details of any agreement to unify institutions or end Libya’s political division remain a matter for Libyans alone, while the United States continues to engage with all parties to help develop practical and workable proposals.

Boulos also said that his recent visit to the city of Misrata and his meeting with the city’s Council of Elders and elected municipal leaders reflected the importance of local leadership in ensuring successful elections. He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to engaging with all Libyans in support of a Libyan-led political process.