On Sunday, the United States Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland expressed serious concerns over the current precarious conditions prevailing in the country.
In a press statement, the US diplomat cautioned against attempts to manipulate internal rifts, and obstruct the United Nations’ endeavours to facilitate elections.
“Libya’s current state is inherently volatile, and the only way to establish legitimacy in the country is through elections,” stated Norland.
These remarks reflect the international community’s commitment to aiding Libya in achieving a peaceful and stable political transition. In turn, stressing the significance of the upcoming elections in reaffirming the country’s legitimacy.
“We do not want an electoral process that creates further instability, an agreement must be reached on how to manage it,” he explained, noting that “those who wish to run for elections cannot be part of their supervision.”
Norland stressed that “the political agreement is one of the basic steps for holding elections,” adding that it is necessary to make progress in the issue of withdrawing mercenaries from Libya.
In May, the Chairman of the Defence and National Security Committee of the Libyan Parliament, Talal Al-Mihoub denounced Norland’s remarks regarding the legal framework for the general elections.
“We fully support the call of UN Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, for the 6+6 Joint Committee to reach an agreement on a legal framework for elections and urge all of Libya’s political leadership to bring their influence to bear without delay,” Norland said.
Commenting on Norland’s remarks, Al-Mihoub said, “The Libyan Parliament will not be hostage to the views of Washington or the UN Mission (UNSMIL).”
The Libyan lawmaker added, in an interview with Sputnik, that Libya “will not accept that UNSMIL becomes the new Paul Bremer for Libya, and that the Parliament takes whatever actions it deems appropriate for our country.”
