On Wednesday, the United States praised the progress the Libyan people have made towards an inclusive, and negotiated political solution.
In a statement, the US Department of State said that the country is committed to increasing its diplomatic focus on supporting progress in Libya, including through the work of Ambassador Richard Norland as the US’ Special Envoy for Libya.
According to the statement, the US reiterated its strong support for the work of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to ensure elections are held in December 2021.
It added that the US’ goal is a sovereign, stable, unified, and secure Libya with no foreign interference, and a democratically elected government that supports human rights and development, and is capable of combating terrorism within its borders.
“The United States looks forward to working with the international community and Libyan partners to ensure robust support as national elections are organised for December 2021, and the political transition continues,” it noted.
The statement confirmed that Washington opposed all military escalation and foreign military interventions, including through foreign fighters and proxy forces, which only serve to deepen and prolong the conflict in Libya.
Notably, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is in Berlin for peace talks on Libya, where he renewed demands Wednesday that all foreign forces must leave the war-battered nation. A ceasefire agreement from October last year “has to be fully implemented including by withdrawing all foreign forces,” Blinken told reporters ahead of the opening of the conference.
Since 2011, the United States has invested over $850 million dollars in Libya’s overall development, including $605 million in US development and security assistance. As well as nearly $269 million in humanitarian assistance, including nearly $11 million in COVID-related humanitarian assistance.