CDF Munir, Libyan military deputy chief discuss defence cooperation

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed matters pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation with the Libyan military's deputy chief on Wednesday.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said CDF Munir held a meeting with Libyan Arab Armed Forces Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lt Gen Haftar in which both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral defence ties and expanding cooperation in military training and security.

Lt Gen Haftar called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and was presented with a guard of honour upon arrival.

The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, defence cooperation and avenues for enhanced military-to-military collaboration.

Read: Pakistan, Libya clinch multi-billion dollar arms deal

The ISPR added that CDF Munir highlighted the Pakistan Army’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and constructive engagement with friendly countries.

“The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions towards regional peace and security,” it said.

The meeting was the second between them this year. The two military leaders previously met in February, when they also discussed regional security dynamics.

During that meeting, the field marshal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya and underscored renewed momentum in defence collaboration between the two countries.

Pakistan and Libya enjoy longstanding diplomatic and military ties. A notable example of this cooperation was a multi-billion-dollar conventional arms deal signed in December last year.

The agreement, described as one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, was finalised following an earlier meeting between Field Marshal Munir and Lt Gen Haftar in Benghazi.

Also Read: CDF Munir discusses regional security dynamics with senior Libyan military officials

However, any such agreement with the Libyan National Army is expected to attract international scrutiny given Libya’s prolonged instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi and plunged the country into years of conflict between rival authorities in the east and west.

Libya has technically remained under a UN arms embargo since February 2011, imposed through United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1970 and later reinforced by subsequent resolutions, including UNSCR 1973. The embargo prohibits all states from supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to Libya.

Despite this legal framework, arms flows into Libya have continued largely unabated over the past decade, fuelling proxy conflicts and deepening divisions between rival factions.