Pakistan committed to friendly ties with Libya, says PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya and emphasised the importance of continued engagement and dialogue.

A high-level Libyan delegation called on him at PM House. The delegation included Dr. Osama Saad Hamad, Prime Minister of the Libyan Government, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces and Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, were also present during the meeting, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on the importance of strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and international levels.

The Libyan leadership appreciated Pakistan's role and expressed interest in expanding collaboration between the two countries.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close contact and explore avenues for future cooperation.

Embassy

Pakistan is in talks to open a consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, a move that could give a diplomatic boost to eastern authorities in their rivalry with Libya's west.

Libya descended into turmoil after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi and has been divided into eastern and western authorities since a 2014 civil war.

The UN-recognised government in Tripoli controls the west, while Libyan National Army leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's forces based in Benghazi hold the east and south, including major oilfields.

Islamabad would be joining a small group of countries with a diplomatic presence in Benghazi. Haftar discussed the move with officials during an ongoing visit to Pakistan, the sources said.

Pakistan's prime minister's office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.

The LNA's official media page said Haftar and his son Saddam met senior Pakistani army officials "within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and opening up broader horizons for coordination in areas of common interest".

It did not give further details and Reuters could not immediately reach eastern Libyan authorities for comment.

Pakistan's air force said in a statement that Saddam Khalifa Haftar met Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to discuss expanding defence cooperation, including joint training, with Islamabad reaffirming its support for the "capability development" of the Libyan air force.

Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Benghazi in December, where he signed a multibillion-dollar defence deal with the LNA, previously reported by Reuters.

All three sources said the decision to open a consulate in Benghazi was linked to the $4 billion defence deal.

(With additional input from Reuters)