Summary:

On 26 February 2025, the Libyan National Army (LNA) published a communiqué on Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s visit to Paris that including a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. 

The two leaders reviewed domestic and regional developments in Libya and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries. 

While no French official statement was given, French media outlet, RFI, reported that discussions tackled the possibility of French military presence at the Louig (al-Wigh) military base as well as the recent liberation of Nigerien opposition leader Mahmoud Sallah who was captured and then freed by LNA forces, reportedly due to pressure from President Macron.  

The meeting coincided with the French General Direction of Treasury announcing that French retailer Groupe Casino is expanding in Benghazi with a second hypermarket. 

A day prior, Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah visited Doha to meet with Qatari Emir Tamin bin Hamad Al Tahnai and his Qatari counterpart with whom he discussed bilateral cooperation as well as developments. 

The two parties agreed to resume direct flights in October after years of suspension. 

Outlook: 

Libya’s two rival leaders are likely seeking to consolidate ties with traditional allies as both intend to maintain their leadership despite the political process implicitly leading the country to elections and eventual political change. 

Haftar’s meeting with Macron was likely intended to reassure the French ally that recent rapprochement with Belarus and increasing Russian presence in Libya after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria is not a threat to French interests. 

The eastern leadership is seeking to preserve the ties with both Western and Eastern allies to avoid isolation, while Tripoli is securing partnerships with Qatar and Italy to strengthen its negotiating position in any future political process. 

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