US President's advisor for Arab and African affairs, Masood Pulus, has rejected criticism of his proposed plan to resolve Libya's political crisis. In an event organized by the Semafor news platform in New York, Pulus stated that the plan aims to achieve a "full partnership" and not a deal between elites. He emphasized that the proposed arrangements are not dictatorial and will not be controlled by one person.
Pulus's comments come in response to reports of a proposed power-sharing deal in Libya, which could see General Khalifa Haftar's deputy take the role of head of state, while the current Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid al-Dbeiba, remains in his position. Critics have described this possible arrangement as a "deal between elites," warning that it could have negative consequences and undermine the path to free elections in Libya.
The US advisor stressed that the process facilitated by the US and its partners aims to unify Libya before the UN-backed elections. He stated that the primary goal is to unify institutions, emphasizing that the plan is not intended to divide the country. Pulus's statements come as international efforts continue to push Libyan parties towards unifying state institutions and reaching a political arrangement that leads to national elections.
In a separate issue, Pulus declined to confirm or deny reports that the US had withheld a visa from Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who was set to attend the UN General Assembly meetings. Sources had reported that the US had made Burhan's visa conditional on his signing a 90-day ceasefire agreement to end the ongoing war in Sudan.
Pulus stated that the US is in communication with both parties in the Sudanese conflict and deals with the military-led government as a de facto authority, without officially recognizing it. He emphasized that the US is against any parallel governments and warned against a repeat of the Libyan scenario in Sudan, describing the Sudanese conflict as the "largest humanitarian disaster in the world today."
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in over 35 million people needing humanitarian assistance. Pulus's comments highlight the US's concerns about the situation in Sudan and its efforts to find a peaceful resolution. The US advisor's statements also underscore the importance of a unified Libya and the need for a peaceful resolution to the country's crisis.
The international community continues to support efforts to resolve Libya's crisis and promote stability in the region. Pulus's defense of the US plan for Libya and his comments on the Sudanese conflict demonstrate the US's commitment to finding peaceful solutions to these crises.
Key points
- The US plan for Libya aims to achieve a "full partnership" and unify institutions.
- The plan is not intended to divide the country or favor one party.
- The US is working to find a peaceful resolution to the Sudanese conflict.
