The new prime minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord met with top officials from US Africa Command this week as US aircraft continued to support GNA troops fighting ISIS. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj met with AFRICOM Commander Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser in Stuttgart, Germany, along with other GNA officials to discuss “our partnership in countering terrorism” and GNA’s desire for US assistance in the fight against ISIS, according to AFRICOM. US aircraft continued to hit ISIS targets in Sirte, conducting four sorties on Aug. 24 and destroying 11 enemy fighting positions and one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. US aircraft, as of Friday morning, had conducted 82 total strikes in support of the GNA, AFRICOM reported.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.