The Egyptian army announced on Friday that Chief of Staff General Ahmed Khalifa met retired General Khalifa Haftar during his visit to Libya for the closing session of the first conference of chiefs of staff from Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan African countries. This conference, held from February 10 to 12 in Benghazi, focused on collective cooperation to combat transnational crimes and saw participation from military leaders, security officials, and international experts. The meeting underscores Egypt's investment in regional security through military collaboration.

General Khalifa's visit included meetings with various Libyan military leaders, including Haftar's deputy and chief of staff, which indicates a strengthening of military ties between Egypt and Libya. The Egyptian statement emphasized the mutual benefits of their military relationship, which aims to meet the interests of both parties amidst ongoing regional instability. This diplomatic engagement could signal a broader strategy by Egypt to influence security dynamics in Libya, particularly regarding issues like migration and terrorism.

The conference itself aimed at establishing military and security cooperation among participating nations to enhance regional stability and collectively address challenges such as illegal migration and terrorism. As Libya continues to struggle with security challenges and governance issues, Egypt's proactive stance in collaborating with Libyan forces could have significant ramifications for the broader North African geopolitical landscape.