TRIPOLI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Forces from Libya's eastern and western-based administrations took part in U.S. Special Operations Forces training activities in the central Libyan city of Sirte on Tuesday, marking the first such joint exercise for the rival sides in years.
Deputy Minister of Defense of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdul Salam Al-Zoubi appeared alongside Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the "General Command" of the Libyan National Army (LNA), while overseeing preparations for the exercise in Sirte, in the presence of local and international military personnel, local media reported.
The event is the main annual special operations exercise overseen by the U.S. Africa Command, bringing together more than 30 countries, with this year's activities distributed between Libya and Cote d'Ivoire, reports said.
The exercise includes integrated land, air, and maritime training operations aimed at enhancing combat readiness and strengthening coordination among participating countries in addressing security challenges.
The participation of forces from both eastern and western Libyan administrations in a single military exercise marks the first such occurrence in years, as the rival Libyan sides were previously engaged in armed conflict during the civil war in 2014.
The development is seen as an indication of growing military and security contacts between the two sides.
Since the 2011 fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been split between the UN-recognized GNU in Tripoli and the eastern administration backed by the LNA.
The Libyan High National Elections Commission said late last year that presidential elections are scheduled for April 2026. ■