Ankara: Senior military leaders from eastern and western Libya convened in the central city of Sirte to deliberate over the unification of the country's divided armed forces, as stated by eastern forces Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar.

According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting included eastern forces Chief of Staff Khaled Haftar and western forces Chief of Staff Salah al-Din al-Namroush, alongside members of the Joint Military Commission (5+5), the Joint Security and Military Committee (3+3), and representatives from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to reunify Libya's military establishment and resolve years of institutional division.

The statement released described the discussions as constructive but did not provide specifics on any agreements or concrete outcomes. The divide in Libya's armed forces continues between eastern forces led by Khalifa Haftar and forces aligned with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity.

Efforts for military reunification have been progressing under the UN-backed Joint Military Commission (5+5), which was established following the October 2020 ceasefire agreement signed in Geneva. Subsequent to this, the Joint Security and Military Committee (3+3) was formed to enhance coordination on border security, counterterrorism, and tackling organized crime.

Libya has experienced prolonged political division between rival administrations in the east and west. Attempts to organize nationwide elections have repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over the constitutional framework and candidate eligibility criteria.