US President, Joe Biden has extended the national emergency with respect to Libya by one year, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.
Biden also notified House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi and the Senate leadership in a letter, saying he has determined it necessary to continue the national emergency. The first emergency was declared in February 2011, at the onset of the civil war.
“The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” Biden said in an executive order.
“Measures are needed to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuses by members of the Gaddafi family, their associates, and other persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation,” the notice noted.
“The national emergency declared on February 25, 2011, must continue in effect beyond February 25, 2021. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for one year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566,” the notice reads.