The US Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, has expressed deep concern over Libya’s internal conflicts and emphasised the urgent need for swift solutions to overcome the current crisis.
In an interview with Egypt’s Youm7 newspaper, Norland outlined ongoing efforts to bridge political and economic divides within Libya, which have been exacerbated by recent tensions.
Norland criticised the Libyan Presidential Council’s recent unilateral dismissal of key figures like “Al-Siddiq Al-Kabir,” labelling it a risky move. He noted that such actions, often taken by both eastern and western factions, raise questions about the integrity of Libya’s Central Bank and its leadership.
He further explained that the US is worried about the potential economic fallout from a lack of credibility at the bank, impacting Libya’s ability to conduct international financial transactions and import essential goods like medicine.
Norland also highlighted that Cairo and Morocco have played critical roles in recent diplomatic efforts, praising Egypt for facilitating talks between Libya’s political bodies, including the 6+6 Joint Committee. However, he stressed that broader political engagement is essential to reach a consensus on Libya’s leadership and governance.
The US envoy concluded by urging all Libyan political stakeholders to come together for direct negotiations, as this is the only way to restore stability and move the country forward. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by the resignation of the U.N. Special Representative to Libya, which has slowed international mediation efforts.
