US confirms its commitment to a stable, democratic and united Libya
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In a statement released after a meeting between the US Chargé d’Affaires, Stephanie Williams and AFRICOM Commander General Tom Waldhauser and Presidency Council head Faiez Serraj, in Tripoli, the US side said that ‘‘our presence in Tripoli today testifies, the U.S.-Libya partnership is strong, rooted in our mutual commitment to advance political reconciliation in partnership with the United Nations, promote economic reform and closer economic ties between the United States and Libya, and defeat ISIS and other terrorists who imperil and threaten the safety and security of the Libyan people.”
The statement continued that “our visit represents a true strengthening of the U.S.-Libya strategic relationship. Our meeting offered an opportunity to discuss a number of issues with Prime Minister al-Sarraj. We know that the Libyan people want a safer, more secure country, so current bilateral security cooperation as well as potential defense institution-building efforts and security force assistance in the future were part of our discussions. Over the last year, the United States has increased bilateral assistance to Libya to improve airport security, border security, policing, prison management, and demining capacity. These efforts add to the United States’ contributions to humanitarian and stabilisation assistance.”
The US welcomed the fact that the Libyan leaders met in the presence of Special Representative Salamé and the international community in Paris earlier this week. “The United States believes that elections should occur as soon as possible, but must be well prepared to avoid further instability. We support UN leadership as Special Representative Salamé consults with Libyan leaders to advance the process for adopting a constitution and charting a path forward to credible, secure and well-prepared elections.”
They called on the international community to support the High National Elections Commission as it intensifies its work to prepare for elections. The United States has invested more than $32 million since 2012 to support constitutional development and electoral preparations in Libya.
Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister Al-Mughrabi stressed that the relationship with the United States was a strategic one, and expressed the appreciation of the Entente the government of the United States of America has provided effective assistance in the framework of this partnership, which has contributed to defeating terrorist organisations
