ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Libya discussed enhancing defense cooperation, with a focus on training and counterterrorism partnership, during a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to the North African country, the military said in a statement on Thursday.

Pakistan and Libya established diplomatic relations in 1951, with ties particularly close during the era of former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, when Tripoli positioned itself as a supporter of Muslim causes and developing countries, including

Pakistan. Relations have been more restrained since Libya’s political upheaval in 2011.

According to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Munir met Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, and Lt. Gen. Saddam Khalifa Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief, during the visit.

“Both sides underscored the importance of collaboration in training, capacity building and counterterrorism domains,” ISPR said in a statement.

“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defense ties with Libya, based on shared interests,” it added.

ISPR said Munir was accorded a guard of honor by a contingent of the Libyan Armed Forces on arrival and that the talks also covered matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics and avenues for expanding military-to-military cooperation.

The Libyan military leadership appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan armed forces and expressed a desire to expand defense cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.

Unlike Pakistan’s relations with some Gulf and Middle Eastern states, there is currently no significant defense or military cooperation between Islamabad and Tripoli, with engagement remaining limited amid Libya’s prolonged political instability.