The US Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland said that the US aims to “restore sovereignty to Libya, and to help install an elected government that works in the interest of all Libyans.”
In press statements, Norland added that the Berlin Agreement “can be relied upon for the future of Libya,” calling on all parties to help Libya shape its future.
He called on all countries to “work according to the Berlin Mechanism that was agreed upon in 2020, in order to establish a democratic country with an elected government. Libya needs a strong economic management system, especially since its natural wealth has been a cause of conflict and division, not of building and prosperity.”
Norland stressed the need to “protect Libyan wealth, and that spending operations in Libya be more transparent and comprehensive.”
Earlier this month, the Chairman of the Defense 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 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.”
Paul Bremer is an American diplomat, who was the de facto head of the state of Iraq as leader of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States, from May 2003 until June 2004.
“The Parliament owns its decisions, while the 6+6 Joint Committee works according to its own lines and vision from the legal aspects, and we will not accept any dictates from any parties,” he added.
