Pentagon spokesperson Charles Summers provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Libya Prime Minister Fayez Serraj at the Pentagon today to discuss our defense relationship and regional security challenges.
Secretary Mattis expressed his sincere and deep appreciation to Prime Minister Serraj for Libya’s stalwart counterterrorism partnership and their efforts in the global fight to defeat ISIS. Secretary Mattis also conveyed the United States’ continued support for political and security progress in Libya.
The two leaders discussed concerns about ISIS and al-Qaeda taking advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting inspiring and directing terrorist attacks.
Secretary Mattis and Prime Minster Serraj also reaffirmed their continued commitment and support to address the growing threat from ISIS and other extremist groups, particularly in North Africa.