USS Mount Whitney Arrives in Libya as US Pushes for Military Unity
The USS Mount Whitney, flagship of the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet, arrived in Tripoli on Sunday carrying a high-level American delegation led by Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson. The diplomatic mission, confirmed by the US Embassy in Libya, includes stops in both Tripoli and Benghazi to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
Accompanying Vice Admiral Anderson are US Special Envoy Richard Norland and Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Brent. Their agenda focuses on enhancing US-Libya security ties, improving regional stability, and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to a unified Libya.
During their Tripoli stop, American officials hosted key Libyan defense leaders aboard the ship, including Deputy Defense Minister Abdul Salam Zubi and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad. Sources reveal Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Presidential Council members also held private talks with the delegation.
Eastern Libya Meetings Planned
The delegation will next meet with retired Major General Khalifa Haftar and his son Saddam in Benghazi. While officially described as routine diplomacy, insiders suggest the visit coordinates upcoming joint military exercises scheduled for late April involving forces from both eastern and western Libya.
US Strategy for Military Reconciliation
This mission continues Washington’s months-long effort to unify Libya’s divided military forces:
- Regular engagement with both Government of National Unity and Haftar-aligned commanders
- February visit by AFRICOM’s Lt. Gen. John Brennan proposing joint command structure
- Recent air defense coordination exercises near Sirte
The embassy emphasized these efforts represent “an important step towards reunifying Libya’s military institutions” and strengthening the US-Libya defense partnership.
This article summarizes an original report by Libyan Express. Full credit to the original source.