On Saturday, the US Special Envoy to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland stressed the importance of forming a civilian-led and unified army in Libya, capable of protecting its sovereignty and ensuring stability.
These remarks came during his meeting with the Head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael Langley, along with Ambassador Andrew Young, the Deputy Commander for civil-military engagement in Stuttgart City, Germany.
During the meeting, Norland said that the “deteriorating regional security situation lends more importance than ever to diplomacy, development, and defence supporting Libya in forming a civilian-led unified military capable of protecting Libyan sovereignty and stability.”
On Friday, Norland said the US and the Republic of Congo “share strong support for UN and African Union efforts to bring Libyan leaders together on early elections to unify Libya.”
Norland met with the President of Congo Brazzaville, Sassou N’Guesso, and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso on Thursday.
He conveyed Washington’s appreciation for their leadership in support of a national reconciliation forum in Libya.
Norland added that the US and Congo agreed on the “urgency of stabilizing Libya, restoring its sovereignty, and securing its borders considering growing threats to regional security.”
“I am grateful for the warm welcome in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire,” he concluded.
Earlier this month, the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla Al-Mangoush “appreciated the important role being played by the African Union in resolving the political stalemate in Libya and supporting the Libyan parties to reach national reconciliation.”
These remarks came during her participation in the virtual meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which was held at the ministerial level, on the importance of achieving national reconciliation in Libya.
“Working to unify the Libyan people and complete all important steps aimed at leading Libya to a new stage of permanent stability is a historical and national responsibility that we will never abandon,” she noted
Libya descended into a decade of violence following the 2011 overthrow of the late longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed rebellion.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.
