Libya’s Menfi Chairs his First Military Meeting, Haftar Presides over Large Drills

Arab World

March 30th, 6:15am

Cairo – Khaled Mahmoud

Menfi holds a military meeting on Monday in this photo supplied by his office.

New head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, chaired on Monday his first military meeting in his capacity as commander in chief of the armed forces. The Libyan National Army, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, meanwhile carried out a large military drill in the east, the first since Menfi assumed his position. In a statement, Menfi’s office said the meeting at the Tripoli naval base tackled organizational and administrative affairs. The meeting was attended by chief of general staff of the pro-Government of National Unity (GNU) military, as well as legal and financial experts. Local media criticized Haddad’s description as chief of general staff, saying it contradicts with the tasks of the joint military committee that includes forces loyal to the GNU and LNA. In the east, Haftar oversaw a drill carried out by the 106th Brigade in what was described as the largest exercise using live ammunition. The drill was aimed at raising the fighting capacities and preparedness of the forces and readying them for full military operations. The forces were trained on deterring a hostile attack with the use of aircraft and artillery. A statement by LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said Haftar hailed the participating officers and troops and their success in carrying out their missions and tasks. Separately, France on Monday reopened its embassy in Libya after a seven-year closure as insecurity swept the country following its 2011 revolution, in another sign of a gradual return of stability. Its representative resumed operations behind a tall compound wall in a new building on the outskirts of Tripoli. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the reopening last week after talks in Paris with Menfi. Italy already returned its embassy to Tripoli in 2017, while several other countries, such as Egypt, Greece and Malta, are to follow France’s lead.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2889731/libya%E2%80%99s-menfi-chairs-his-first-military-meeting-haftar-presides-over-large