The US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Joey Hood, made the highest level diplomatic visit to Tripoli since 2014, according to the State Department’s statement.
Hood said his visit to Tripoli along with the US special envoy in Libya, Richard Norland, showed Washington’s commitment to supporting Libyans and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.
In a joint press conference with the Libyan Foreign Minister, Najla Al-Mangoush, Hood called for ending all foreign intervention in Libya and for full implementation of the ceasefire.
According to the US State Department, Hood and Norland met with Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, Head of the Presidential Council Mohammed Menfi, and Head of the High National Electoral Commission Emad Al-Sayah, and he discussed with them areas of mutual interest, including a Libyan-led, inclusive, and negotiated political solution to the conflict, facilitated through the UN and full implementation of the October 23 Libyan ceasefire agreement.
He reiterated, in the presser, support for the progress the Libyan people have made towards an inclusive, negotiated, political solution, and said he had fruitful on how they can support the interim Government of National Unity as it takes the necessary steps toward ensuring free and fair elections in December.
“The goal of the United States is a sovereign, stable, unified Libya with no foreign interference and a state that is capable of combating terrorism. The United States opposes all military escalation and all foreign military intervention. We oppose foreign fighters, we oppose proxy forces.” Hood said.
The US Acting Assistant Secretary of State added that the US urges all sides – Libyan and foreign – to fully implement the ceasefire, and this includes the removal of all foreign military forces of all types.
“The agreement on an electoral roadmap for elections in December is very important. It is important for national reconciliation. So, we look forward to seeing the clarification of the constitutional basis for the elections as soon as possible.” He added, saying reopening US embassy in Libya would need more time and measures on the ground.
