Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, General Commander of the Armed Forces, hosted tribal leaders, dignitaries, and elders from the Central Region at his military city. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Libyan Government, Osama Hammad, the Chief of the General Staff, First Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar, the Assistant General Commander, Lieutenant General Bassem Mohammed Al-Boweishi, and the Director of the General Commander’s Office, First Lieutenant General Ayoub Bousif.
During the session, the elders and dignitaries of the Central Region renewed their full support for the Armed Forces under Field Marshal Haftar’s command. They affirmed their profound commitment to the unity of the country and the reconciliation of all Libyans under a single national umbrella, to be overseen by the General Command of the Armed Forces.
In his address, Field Marshal Haftar welcomed the “honourable elders” to the “Military City, the factory of men loyal to their homeland and people,” noting that their visit and the effort they expended to travel hold great significance, representing a sincere expression of standing behind their Armed Forces. He asserted that the army’s legitimacy and strength are derived from this vast popular base, which trusts its ability to achieve victory and advance the nation toward dignity and honour.
The General Commander stressed that the presence of these leaders confirms their dedication to being at the forefront of the national scene, explaining that this popular momentum and support instil confidence among Libyans that the army is moving in the correct direction and that the country is secure. He described this backing as the “fuel” that energises the Armed Forces with strength, confidence, and motivation, reinforcing their conviction that they do not stand alone against challenges.
Conversely, Haftar stated that this scene constitutes a “disaster and shock” for enemies and malcontents upon witnessing such blessed solidarity, forcing them to realise that their “plots, intrigues, and misleading media” campaigns aimed at undermining the Armed Forces have utterly failed. He warned that they would nonetheless continue their efforts to tarnish the army’s reputation, its “professionalism and discipline,” and minimise the significance of the sacrifices made and gains achieved, assuring them that the final result will only be “disappointment.”
Haftar continued that experience has proven that major national goals can only be achieved if they are adopted by the people through their free will and supported by all means necessary for success. He cited the defeat of terrorism in the “Battle of Dignity” as the best evidence, asserting that without the people’s decision to confront and the immediate, unconditional support from the honourable tribes, dignity would not have triumphed over terrorism despite its equipment and backing.
The General Commander cautioned that the nation is grappling with a suffocating and protracted political crisis, revealing that efforts for a peaceful settlement aimed at achieving just and comprehensive peace for state-building have failed. Instead, the crisis has worsened, becoming a threat to the nation’s safety and territorial integrity. He pointed out that this deterioration has increased the suffering of citizens, led to the spread of corruption and the looting of wealth without accountability, and resulted in the absence of the rule of law and state prestige. Consequently, the struggle for power and influence has become the prevailing feature, urgently necessitating that the crisis be addressed “today, not tomorrow.”
Field Marshal Haftar concluded by addressing the Libyan people in the “language of frankness, honesty, and clarity” he is known for, urging them to resolve this crisis themselves and not wait for the “solution to arrive as a gift from the heavens or from under the earth.” He affirmed that this urging does not diminish the value of international and local efforts that sought to support a settlement, which deserve thanks and appreciation. He ended by reassuring them that the Armed Forces are continuously improving through divine grace and the efforts of their personnel, reiterating his commitment to everyone that the struggle will continue “to build Libya together—people and army—into a state free from terrorism and extremism, secure, stable, and peaceful.