US President's advisor for Arab and African affairs, Masood Pulus, has defended the American initiative for Libya, rejecting criticism that the proposed arrangements are a deal between political and military elites. Pulus stated that the plan does not aim to hand power to a specific individual, emphasizing it is not a dictatorship and is based on a "full partnership". He made these comments at "The Next 3 Billion" event in New York.
Reports had suggested possible power-sharing arrangements in Libya, which could see Sadam Hifter, deputy commander of the Libyan National Army, take the presidency, while current Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba remains in his position. Critics described this scenario as a "deal between elites", potentially impacting the electoral process. Pulus countered that the US-led process aims to unify Libyan institutions before UN-backed elections.
The US initiative seeks to bring together Libya's institutions, according to Pulus. This goal is central to the American plan, which has been met with skepticism by some. The proposed arrangements have sparked concerns about the potential for a new power struggle in the country. Libya has faced significant instability since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011.
Pulus also touched on the situation in Sudan, where a war has been ongoing since April 2023. He stated that the US is in communication with both parties to the conflict and deals with the military-led government as a de facto authority, without formally recognizing it. Washington has rejected the idea of parallel governments in Sudan.
The Sudanese military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, recently obtained a US visa to attend the UN General Assembly. According to reports, this was contingent on his agreement to a 90-day ceasefire proposed by Pulus. However, the US has not officially confirmed this link. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis.
Pulus warned against a repetition of the Libyan scenario in Sudan, describing the Sudanese war as one of the world's largest humanitarian disasters. International efforts are underway to halt the fighting and reach a political settlement. The situation in both countries remains a significant concern for the international community.
The American initiative for Libya has been met with skepticism, with some questioning its feasibility. Pulus emphasized that the plan is based on partnership and aims to bring together Libya's institutions. The success of the initiative remains uncertain, as Libya continues to face significant challenges in its transition to stability.
Key points
- US advisor Masood Pulus rejects claims that the American plan for Libya is a power deal between elites.
- The plan aims to unify Libyan institutions before UN-backed elections.
- Pulus also addressed the situation in Sudan, where a war has been ongoing since April 2023.
