Tripoli— The Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Gen. Dagvin Anderson visited Tripoli on Monday and met with PM and Acting Minister of Defense Abdulhamid Dbeibeh and discuss US-Libya security cooperation, regional stability and reviewed preparations for the upcoming April Flintlock 26 Exercise in Sirte.
A statement released by the Government of National Unity (GNU) said the meeting “focused on strengthening military cooperation between Libya and the United States, with particular emphasis on training, equipment, and capacity-building programs.”
“Dbeibah underlined the importance of supporting the Libyan military through effective partnerships and high-quality training programs, affirming the government’s commitment to enhancing security and stability and combating threats in the region,” GNU’s statement said.
During a follow-up meeting with Deputy Minister of Defense Abdulsalam Zubi, Gen. Anderson, accompanied by the US Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt, “reviewed ongoing security cooperation, including AFRICOM’s Flintlock 26 exercise, as well as Libyan-led efforts to unify the country’s military institutions,” according to a statement by the US Embassy in Libya.
The exercise, scheduled for April 2026 in Sirte, Libya is expected to bring Libyan forces from all over the country “together with partners from Africa and Europe to strengthen their capabilities to counter terrorist and other threats,” the US Embassy said.
In mid-October 2025, Lt. Gen John Brennan, Deputy Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) met in Sirte LNA’s Deputy Commander Lt. General Saddam Haftar and announced that Libya would participate in “exercise Flintlock, which will take place in spring 2026 with key location in Libya.”
Brennan said at the time, “We are pleased to partner with Libyan defense leaders from west and east on this important exercise.”