US State Department Spokesman, Ned Price said that the US administration is working with UN Advisor, Stephanie Williams to “do what is possible to support the ceasefire and keep violence at low levels,” in Libya.
In televised statements, Price added that “Washington supports the holding of elections in Libya, and seeks to express the will of the Libyan people as soon as possible.”
He noted that the “record numbers of Libyans on the electoral lists are evidence of their desire to exercise their democratic right.”
Williams is believed to be preparing to travel to the United States to discuss the situation with US officials. She recently held a meeting with chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) Emad Al-Sayeh to discuss preparations for the elections.
In a statement, HNEC said that the two sides agreed on providing support to the Commission to hold the polls. Williams and Al-Sayeh “reviewed the situation related to achieving consensus between the Libyan parties, on holding elections in the near future,” the statement said.
They also discussed the importance of reaching an agreement on the constitutional basis for these elections. As well as underscoring the necessity of preserving HNEC’s independence, by barring political actors from involving the commission in the political crisis.
A new round of Egypt-hosted talks between representatives of the Tobruk-based Libyan Parliament, and Tripoli-based, High Council of State (HCS) will be held on 15 May. This is to reach a compromise on constitutional arrangements for holding elections.
The first round of discussions was held last month, under UN auspices.
Libyans are waiting for the delayed elections to take place. This is in the hope that they would contribute to ending years of conflict, which has plagued the oil-rich country.