Libya: Niger’s prime minister visits Haftar’s camp after months of strained relations

Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine visited Benghazi on November 1, 2026, and was received by Oussama Hammad, head of eastern Libya’s government, which is backed by Khalifa Haftar and is not recognized by the UN. Zeine’s delegation included Niger’s chief of staff, Mamane Sani Kiaou, and other military leaders, giving the visit a strong security dimension. Niamey had recently drawn closer to Tripoli after maintaining close ties with Benghazi, including cooperation on security agreements. The visit comes amid reports that Benghazi released Toubou rebel Mahmoud Sallah, whose group was accused of attacks on the pipeline carrying Nigerien crude.