US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said that she assured the UN envoy, Abdullah Batelli, and key officials in both Tripoli and Benghazi, the United States’ full support for Batelli’s efforts to build a consensus leading to presidential and parliamentary elections during the year, in line with With the aspirations of the Libyan people.
Barbara Leaf added that this effort was unanimously supported by the Security Council, stressing that the Libyans have repeatedly made it clear that they want elections, and they want to vote for a unified government that provides them with services, security and stability, which they lack and deserve.
“Leif” indicated that she stressed the importance of upholding Libya’s sovereignty and respecting the Libyan ceasefire agreement by ensuring that all foreign fighters, forces and mercenaries leave the country, above all Wagner fighters, as well as the United States’ support for Libyan economic institutions to enhance transparency.
In her answer to the possibilities of holding elections this year in Libya, according to the proposal of the United Nations envoy, “Leif” said that the prospects for elections lie firmly in the hands of the Libyan leaders, adding that there is a great appetite for elections among the millions of Libyans registered to vote, which is a sign of a demand for a unified government that they did not enjoy. Have it for 12 years.
Leaf stated that the requirements for elections are in place, and what she conveyed to all the leaders she met with is that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General is launching a mediation process to try to overcome some of the outstanding issues that prevented them from holding such elections previously.
Leif pointed out that the matter is related to political will and the ability to settle, saying that nothing prevents Libya from holding elections this year except for the lack of political will or unwillingness to reach a compromise between the main leaders, noting that they are technically able to To hold such elections, she said.
Leaf also stressed the need to move towards making the main leaders move towards the practice of settlement and stand behind the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Abdullah Batili, according to her.
Source: US Department of State