US: Libya's Bashagha, Dabaiba to start negotiations soon

CAIRO - 15 March 2022: US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland commended Libya's House of Representatives-Designated Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha for his interest in pursuing urgent UN-facilitated negotiations aimed at reaching a political understanding with Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity Abdulhamid Dabaiba on how to manage the final stages of interim governance and prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible.

In a tweet, Norland conveyed his understanding that Dabaiba is prepared to participate in these talks.

"The format and location of talks will be determined by the parties themselves in consultation with the UN and international partners. The US position is clear: we respect the right of Libyans themselves to determine their future. We urge them to do this through exclusively peaceful means without any resort to violence; and we believe free, fair and inclusive elections are the only formula for lasting stability in the current situation, “choosing sides” is not an option: the only side that can justifiably be chosen is peaceful negotiations."

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has reiterated the importance of maintaining the safety and independence of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to make sure that all Libyans benefit from their country's oil revenues.

In a statement carried by the Libyan news agency, the mission said members of the Berlin working group on Libya (Egypt, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations) expressed full support for the NOC in order to enable all Libyans to benefit from their country's oil returns.

The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States warned on Friday that undermining the work of the NOC would pose a threat to Libya and its security.