The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, has told the Turkish Anadolu Agency in an interview that Washington is concerned about an ongoing political spat in Libya after the Tobruk-based parliament gave confidence to a new government headed by former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, saying this is a move disputed by sitting Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who insists on remaining in his post.
“Our greatest concern about this standoff is that it has taken the focus away from what the Libyan people truly want, which is parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible.” Norland said.
Norland said that though both sides have vowed to avoid using force, there is always the risk of a clash leading to escalating violence, which would be a tragedy for the Libyan people.
“We are urging both parties to negotiate in order to resolve this impasse peacefully.” Norland added.
Noting that various partners, including Turkiye, have offered to host talks on the matter, and that UN special advisor to the secretary-general, Stephanie Williams, has offered to facilitate negotiations, the US envoy expressed the US’ strong support for such efforts.
Norland indicated that there are possible US initiatives related to oil fields in Libya which are currently blocked for political reasons as the global oil supply problems become more acute.
Norland said it is the worst time to block Libyan oil production, adding that Libyans could have benefited from the current high prices and global markets which need the oil.
“But the polarized political situation in Libya does raise the risk that competing political forces will try to gain control of the oil revenues. That is why the US, along with its various partners including the UN, EU, and Egypt, is proposing a mechanism to manage oil revenues until agreement is reached on the broader political issues.” Norland explained.
According to Norland, their proposed mechanism would only dispense oil revenues on salaries, subsidies, oil production, and key imported goods such as food and medicine. He added that this would be done with full transparency and accountability.
“Of course, Libyan stakeholders will be the ones to decide whether to implement this, but there are compelling reasons for leaders to ensure revenues go only to benefit the Libyan people.” Norland added.
Norland said Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine is a reflection on a massive scale of the destabilizing role Russian Wagner Group mercenaries have played in Libya and the Sahel region, adding that the mercenaries tried to topple the government in Tripoli and interfered in the elections scheduled for December 24 of last year.
He added that the US was aware of reports that the mercenaries were being transferred from Libya to Ukraine to fight for Russia, as well as reports of Moscow’s attempts to recruit foreign fighters against Kyiv.
