Libyan commander Haftar meets Pakistan's top general for security talks

The commander of eastern Libya's forces, Khalifa Haftar, met with Pakistan's top military leader on Monday, discussing enhanced cooperation and shared security interests. Haftar, accompanied by his son Lieutenant General Saddam Khalid Haftar, called on Field Marshal Asim Munir at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. According to a statement from Pakistan's military, the two leaders exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with a particular focus on regional security dynamics and avenues for professional collaboration between their forces.

Focus on bilateral ties and Libyan stability

The talks underscored a mutual desire for continued engagement. Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan's "commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya" and emphasized Islamabad's support for "peace, stability, and institutional development" in the North African nation. For his part, Commander Haftar expressed appreciation for the warm reception, noting it reflected the depth of relations between the two leaderships. The meeting is part of a sustained diplomatic and military dialogue, following Munir's own visit to the Libyan city of Benghazi in December 2025, where discussions centered on defense collaboration, including training and counterterrorism.

Context of a major arms deal and Libya's division

This high-level contact occurs against the backdrop of significant defense agreements. In December 2025, international media reported that Army Chief Munir's visit to Benghazi concluded with a major arms deal valued at over $4 billion, negotiated with Haftar's son and deputy, Saddam Haftar. The latest meeting in Rawalpindi likely served to reinforce this strategic partnership. These developments are viewed within the context of Libya's enduring political division, split between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the eastern administration allied with Haftar in Benghazi, which controls much of the country's territory and resources.

Regional implications and Türkiye's strategic calculus

Pakistan's deepening military engagement with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar introduces a new dimension to the complex Libyan conflict. This partnership could influence the regional balance of power, as various international actors back different Libyan factions. For Türkiye, a key supporter of the Tripoli-based government and a significant player in Libya through security agreements and energy exploration, Pakistan's overtures to the rival eastern camp are a notable development. It underscores the internationalized nature of the Libyan conflict and may prompt Ankara to reassess its diplomatic and strategic outreach to ensure its interests in the Mediterranean and North Africa are safeguarded.