US President's senior advisor for Arab and African affairs, Mesad Bouls, has warned parties obstructing Libya's political transition of potential consequences, including sanctions. Bouls emphasized Washington's commitment to supporting a unified executive authority and implementing the 4+4 agreement. He made these statements in a post on his official social media account on Wednesday. Bouls' comments come amid ongoing efforts to facilitate Libya's transition to a stable government.
Bouls revealed he had discussions with Libya's Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Al-Dbeiba, on the progress made towards unifying Libyan institutions and the next steps to advance the country's reunification initiative. The US advisor stressed Washington's support for Libyan-led efforts to form a unified executive authority. He also emphasized the importance of implementing the 4+4 agreement, which was mediated by the UN mission. This agreement is seen as a path towards national elections.
The 4+4 agreement, signed on August 30, addresses the restructuring of the High National Election Commission and resolves outstanding issues in the electoral framework. The parties involved have committed to conducting elections within 24 months. Bouls welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2835, which renewed the mandate of the UN mission in Libya. He noted that this resolution enhances accountability measures for those obstructing the political transition.
Resolution 2835, adopted on October 30, extended the UN mission's mandate until October 31, 2027. The resolution supports the political process facilitated by the UN mission and urges Libyan parties to implement their commitments under the 4+4 agreement. This includes unifying institutions and progressing towards a unified executive authority. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of conducting national elections.
Bouls cautioned that parties choosing to undermine the political transition will face consequences, potentially including sanctions. He argued that these parties are depriving an entire generation of Libyans of stability and prosperity for narrow interests. The US advisor also expressed concerns about recent developments at the Central Bank of Libya. He stressed the need to protect the independence and technical integrity of Libyan economic institutions.
Bouls' discussions with Al-Dbeiba also covered the importance of enhancing the implementation of the unified budget agreement. This aims to maintain financial stability and protect citizens' purchasing power. The economic situation in Libya remains a challenge, with ongoing concerns about institutional divisions and their impact on financial stability.
The US advisor's statements reflect Washington's continued engagement with Libya's transition process. The US, along with international partners, is committed to supporting Libya's path towards stability and unity. The situation in Libya remains complex, with ongoing efforts to overcome political and economic challenges.
Key points
- The US supports the implementation of the 4+4 agreement in Libya.
- Sanctions may be imposed on parties obstructing Libya's political transition.
- The US emphasizes the importance of protecting Libyan economic institutions' independence.
