Libya's Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dabaiba inaugurated the first Conference of Military Intelligence Chiefs of Libya's neighboring countries today, gathering military leaders from Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Chad, and Niger. Notably absent from this conference, which was held in Tripoli, was Egypt, which shares a long eastern border with Libya.
The gathering's significance was underscored by Major General Mahmoud Hamza, head of Libyan Military Intelligence, who welcomed the delegates and emphasized the conference's goal of enhancing regional security and stability. He pointed out the challenges Libya faces, calling for effective regional cooperation amid the rapid transformations occurring across the region.
During the event, Prime Minister Dabaiba stressed the importance of bolstering regional cooperation to address common threats like terrorism, border control, and smuggling networks. He described the conference as timely, considering the ''escalation of security challenges'' such as terrorism and illegal cross-border activities, signaling Libya's commitment to not allow its territory to be used for settling regional or international conflicts.
With the rising prevalence of organized crime, Major General Hamza identified terrorism, drug and weapon smuggling, and illegal immigration as key issues confronting the region. His comments were echoed by Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of General Staff, who advocated for increased intelligence collaboration among neighboring nations.
The first day of the conference was marked by rigorous discussions on strategies to strengthen partnerships and develop actionable plans for security and intelligence coordination. Delegates from participating countries expressed appreciation for Libya's initiative, emphasizing its potential to forge stronger ties against common security challenges.
From Tunisia, Habib Al-Daif stressed the necessity for improved intelligence capabilities, highlighting the shared responsibility among nations. Chad’s Ibrahim Adam called for timely responses to regional threats, reinforcing the idea of urgency amid growing security concerns.
Algeria’s Mahrez Jeribi brought attention to cross-border criminal activities, urging swift action to improve national and regional security. Sudan and Nigeria's delegations focused on the need for effective information exchange and refugee cooperation as part of the broader strategy to tackle these issues.
The Libyan government has made it clear through this conference its commitment to becoming a proactive player in enhancing security across its borders and contributing positively to the region's stability.
Moving forward, both Libya and its neighbors will need to navigate the complex geopolitical terrain to effectively address the multifaceted challenges they face. The conference served as a platform to lay the groundwork for future cooperation, with the hope of achieving long-term peace and security.
