As soon as he was sworn in, the new Minister of National Defense, Khaled Sehili, received, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the headquarters of his department, the American general, Michael E. Langley, commander of the United States Africa Command (Africom).
The first visit to Tunis by the senior American military official in his new role dates back to October 19, 2029.
For his part, the American general expressed his country’s willingness to strengthen military relations with Tunisia and diversify areas of cooperation, recalling in passing the “distinguished and historical” ties that unite Tunisia and the United States and reaffirming the commitment of the American administration to support efforts aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Tunisian army.
The meeting took place in the presence of Joe Hood, the US ambassador to Tunisia, and high-level military officials from both countries.
The meeting focused on the military cooperation ties between Tunisia and the United States as well as ways to strengthen them, said a statement from the Ministry of Defense, adding that the minister welcomed the distinguished level reached by military cooperation between the two countries, particularly about training, logistical support, joint maneuvers, and the Tunisian-American Joint Military Commission.
It should be recalled that the US Under Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, Jennifer Zakriski, visited Tunisia at the head of a high-level military delegation, to take part in the thirty-sixth session of the Tunisian-American Joint Military Commission, which ended on February 7, 2024 in Tunis.