Benghazi— The Libyan National Army (LNA), celebrating its 85th anniversary in Benghazi on 9 August, has launched a five-year plan for modernizing the armed forces. The plan aims to build a sophisticated army capable of confronting regional and international challenges and maintaining security and stability throughout the country.
In a speech to hundreds of military officers on Saturday, the Commander of the LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar presented what he termed the “2030 Vision for Modernizing the Armed Forces.”
He said the celebration “commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the Libyan Army” and “renews the pledge to continue building the armed forces, which remain the protective shield of the nation.” The 2030 Vision, Haftar stressed, would “build a sophisticated army capable of confronting regional and international challenges and maintaining security and stability throughout the country.”
The anniversary comes at a time during which Libya is divided politically and lacks a unified government as a result of the failure of the Libyans and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the international community to allow the political process in Libya to take place and be owned and controlled by the Libyan people.
According to a statement by the LNA General Command’s Media Office, the 85th anniversary “commemorates the founding of the Libyan Army” and “renews the pledge to continue building the armed forces, which remain the protective shield of the nation.”
“The armed forces are committed to their doctrine of loyalty to God and then to the nation, defending the will of the people, and embodying great sacrifices in confronting terrorism and extremism, and protecting the nation and its sovereignty,” it added as cited by Alwasat newspaper.
Haftar emphasized “the importance of adhering to discipline and continuing training and development to achieve the full readiness of the armed forces and enhance their ability to protect Libya from all threats.” He emphasized, “the army is Libya’s safety valve and the pillar of its national unity.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Presidential, Mohamed Al-Menfi, said the 85th anniversary of the Libyan Army “embodies the aspirations of Libyans for a unified, strong, and independent army that embodies the will of the people and protects the nation’s sovereignty and wealth.” He said there is a need for “the completion of the process of rebuilding a professional national army.”
The head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, commented on the LNA’s anniversary by saying that “the strength and stability of the state can only be established on a unified national army that protects the homeland and safeguards its sovereignty.” He called for an end to all armed groups outside the state’s authority.
