Libyan Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Salah al-Din al-Namroush met with Admiral Marco Casapieri, commander of the European Union’s Operation Irini, in Tripoli on February 2, 2026.
This high-level meeting marked the Admiral’s first visit to the Libyan capital since taking command in September 2025. The discussions centered on enhancing strategic partnerships and operational coordination to bolster stability across the Mediterranean, a region currently facing heightened security tensions and sophisticated illicit trade networks.
The mission reported a significant surge in surveillance activities, recording over 100 additional suspicious flights in just one month. These flights are being closely monitored for potential violations of the United Nations arms embargo. As part of its comprehensive mandate, Operation Irini currently oversees 25 airports and 16 ports with the support of 24 participating nations. Beyond enforcing the arms embargo, the mission serves as a vital intelligence-gathering hub for tracking illicit oil exports and human trafficking routes.
Both leaders emphasized that a stable Libya is essential for the security of the broader Mediterranean basin. By aligning Libyan military efforts with EU surveillance, the partnership aims to create a more effective deterrent against unauthorized military shipments. This collaboration is viewed as a critical step toward ensuring compliance with international resolutions while supporting Libya’s long-term goal of national sovereignty and border integrity.
MK/Sf/fss/abj/APA