US President's advisor for Arab and African affairs, Masoud Bouls, has met with Libyan leaders to discuss progress and efforts towards national elections. Bouls, who met with Libyan Presidential Council head Mohamed al-Menfi and Foreign Minister Taher al-Baour, emphasized the US support for Libyan-led efforts to unify state institutions and move forward with a reliable path to national elections. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Bouls and al-Menfi discussed the progress made in Libya and the work that still needs to be done. The US advisor reaffirmed support for Libyan efforts to unify institutions and move towards elections. According to Bouls, the goal is to help Libyans build a more stable and prosperous future. The meetings also highlighted the importance of Libyan-led solutions to the country's challenges.
Bouls also met with al-Baour, where they discussed the significant progress made by Libyan leaders from east and west towards unifying their country's institutions. The US advisor noted that Washington will continue to work with Libyan and international partners to build on gains in economic and security integration. This aims to support a Libyan-led path towards unified governance, national elections, and sustainable stability and prosperity.
Bouls recently faced criticism over his proposed initiative to resolve Libya's political crisis. He rejected the criticism, stating that his plan does not aim to hand power to one side but rather achieve a "full partnership." Bouls emphasized that the proposed arrangements are not dictatorial and involve a partnership, not a single person's decision.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly, al-Menfi stated that Libya has paid a heavy price due to regional and international balances turning into balances within its territory. He stressed that Libya does not want to replace one influence with another, nor does it want to change one axis for another. Al-Menfi set four principles for engaging with any political process: respect for legitimacy and constitutional and legal references, national ownership, equal opportunities, and commitment to transparency.
The situation in Libya remains complex, with various efforts underway to achieve stability and elections. The US support for Libyan-led efforts is seen as a key element in the country's progress. Bouls' meetings with Libyan leaders demonstrate the ongoing engagement between the US and Libya to address the country's challenges.
The international community continues to watch Libya's developments closely, with many actors emphasizing the importance of a Libyan-led solution. The country's leaders face significant challenges in achieving stability and elections, but with continued support from international partners like the US, there is hope for progress.
Key points
- The US supports Libyan-led efforts to unify state institutions and move towards national elections.
- Bouls met with Libyan leaders to discuss progress and efforts towards national elections.
- The US aims to help Libyans build a more stable and prosperous future through their support for national elections.
