One year has passed since Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar assumed his duties as Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Armed Forces in August 2025, marking a period of military reorganization, enhanced readiness, expanded training and growing international engagement.
During his first year, Lieutenant General Haftar focused on modernizing military structures, strengthening combat readiness, improving border security and expanding the use of modern technology. He also conducted field inspections and oversaw preparations for “Dignity Shield 2,” a major military exercise involving more than 25,000 personnel from land, naval and air units.
Military diplomacy became a prominent feature of his tenure. Lieutenant General Haftar held high-level engagements with Russia, Egypt, Greece and Jordan, including meetings with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Egyptian Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa. His visit to Jordan culminated in a military and security cooperation agreement.
In February 2026, Benghazi hosted the First Strategic Security Conference of Chiefs of Staff of Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Countries, bringing together senior military and security officials, diplomats and international experts.
Domestically, Lieutenant General Haftar pursued efforts toward military institutional development and greater coordination, while emphasizing discipline and responsiveness to personnel and citizens. The General Staff’s Complaints and Grievances Office became part of this approach, providing a channel for reviewing complaints and addressing grievances.
His first year also included initiatives extending beyond strictly military affairs, with attention to youth and sports activities and support for programs aimed at strengthening engagement between military institutions and wider society.
The period reflected an effort to combine internal restructuring with a more active external military presence. Training, readiness, institutional organization, border security and international partnerships remained central themes throughout the year.
As Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar enters his second year as Chief of the General Staff, the focus remains on continuing military development, strengthening institutional capacity and expanding cooperation with regional and international partners.
