US hopes to intervene with Libya dialogue over elections
Amidst continuing political turmoil in Libya, the US’ Special Envoy to the country was dispatched to Tripoli as an attempt to steady the country’s political ship, according to The Libya Observer.
American diplomat Richard Norland met with the UN Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Abdoulaye Bathily in the country’s capital on January 24 for important discussions regarding securing free and fair elections as well as addressing the deadly floods.
On September 11, two dams collapsed in the city of Derna (in Libya’s east), causing the deaths of an estimated 11,000 people in what was the deadliest climate related disaster in the country’s history.
The American delegation also consisted of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joshua Harris and the acting Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Libya, Jeremy Brent.
READ: Libya: Dbeibah says he will only resign if elections take place
Bathily emphasised the need for long awaited elections as well as the progress that was made by the two administrations in solving the election brick wall but noted that a lot of work still had to be done.
During the meeting the UN diplomat stated that it was key to have “a unified Libyan leadership that works to achieve reconciliation, with concerted efforts and a common vision.”
Since the downfall of the late Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has seen the creation of two rival factions in the east and west, the UN-recognised, Tripoli-based government headed by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and a Tobruk-based government will Libyan Army Commander Khalifa Haftar at the helm.
The American trio met with Haftar prior to January 24’s meeting on the evening of January 23 in the eastern city of Benghazi.
The discussions in Tripoli mostly focused on supporting the United Nations’ goal to bring all sides in unity and cooperation which would enable the electorate to freely select their candidates in the upcoming municipality elections.
The Libya Observer
