AFRICOM Commander visits Libyan Prime Minister in Tripoli, Libya

Photo By Dominique J. Shelton | U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, spoke during a media engagement hosted by the Prime Minister of Libya's Unity Government Fayez al -Sarraj during a recent visit to Tripoli, Libya May 23, 2017. Waldhauser was joined by Amb. Peter Bodde, U.S. Ambassador to Libya . This marks the first time a a high ranking U.S. military official has been in Libya since 2014.  

TRIPOLI, LIBYA

05.23.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique J. Shelton 

U.S. Africa Command

STUTTGART, GERMANY (May 23, 2017) -- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Amb. Peter Bodde, U.S. Ambassador to Libya, met with the Prime Minister of Libya's Unity Government Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli, Libya May 23, 2017.

During the meeting, Waldhauser and Bodde updated Sarraj on issues and concerns previously discussed during earlier meetings. These topics included potential future defense institution building efforts and security force assistance.

"The U.S. Africa Command continues to collaborate with Government of National Accord (GNA) security officials on ways we can support those forces charged with security Tripoli," said Waldhauser. "We support partner operations, including the European Union Border Assistance mission in Libya and Operation Sophia which trains for border security."

Prior to the visit to Libya, Sarraj visited AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany on two previous occasions, but this was the first time for the officials to meet in Tripoli. The last meeting took place in Stuttgart on April 6, 2017.

This visit to Libya marks the first time a high ranking U.S. military official has visited Libya since 2014.

During previous meetings, Waldhauser and Sarraj discussed Operation Odyssey Lightning, operational updates and future U.S. cooperation plans in Libya. However, the focus of this third meeting was to applaud Sarraj on all of the work he's done with combating ISIS and other terrorist groups as well as to reiterate the U.S. support of Libya as a unified, secure and prosperous state of government.

"We commend Prime Minister al-Sarraj for taking important steps in the process of restoring unified governance to Libya," said Waldhauser.

"This visit today demonstrates the commitment of the United States to a partnership with Prime Minister Sarraj and the Government of National Accord," said Bodde. "We urge all Libyans to join together in a shared effort to ensure their mutual security and prosperity."

• Date Taken: 05.23.2017
• Date Posted: 05.23.2017 17:07
• Story ID: 234973
• Location: TRIPOLI, LY