The spokesman for the US State Department, Ned Price, said Thursday it was up to the Libyan people not to the US or its allies to determine timing, and other fundamental questions of the conduct of free, fair, and inclusive elections, while Washington, along with its allies, will be in a support role.
Price indicated in a State Department briefing that Washington continues to strongly support the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to further a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process towards the holding of free, fair, and inclusive elections, saying that’s really the key as far as the American support is concerned and the support of its close allies and partners.
“We do call on and urge the relevant Libyan authorities to respect the aspirations of the Libyan people for prompt elections by swiftly determining a final date for the polling and issuing the final list of presidential candidates without delay. We note that free, fair, and credible elections will allow the Libyan people to elect their representative and unified government and reinforce the independent sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity of Libya.” Price indicated.
Price reaffirmed that there had been some progress in Libya, noting that it’s important that such a momentum towards Libyans’ goals is maintained, reaffirming that the US would continue to be in a support role, working very closely with the UN, Libyan partners, allies, including those with whom Washington issued a joint statement on December 24th – France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
