BENGHAZI: Libya鈥檚 eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in the French capital, his Benghazi-based forces said in a statement.
Haftar and Macron discussed 鈥渄evelopments in the political process in Libya and the importance of supporting the UN mission鈥檚 efforts,鈥� according to the statement posted on social media Wednesday evening.
Libya has struggled to recover from years of unrest since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
The country remains split between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and a rival administration in the east aligned with Haftar.
A picture accompanying the statement showed Haftar and Macron shaking hands.
The statement said Macron emphasized Haftar鈥檚 鈥渃entral role鈥� in Libya鈥檚 political process and stability.
Contacted by AFP, the Elysee declined to confirm or deny the meeting.