KUNA : US appoints special envoy to Libya - Politics kuna.net.kw - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kuna.net.kw Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
May 10, 2021
US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland will take on the additional role as US special envoy, a position aimed at keeping the war-torn country s political process on track, the State Department announced on Monday.
“In his role as US special envoy, Ambassador Norland will lead US diplomatic efforts to promote international support for a Libyan-led, inclusive and negotiated political solution to the conflict, facilitated through the UN,” the department said.
The North African country descended into chaos amid a 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country since 2014 has been mired in a civil war pitting the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) against retired Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).
By Sami Zaptia.
The High State Council (HSC) is pushing back on international pressure to hold elections on time (Logo: HSC).
London, 8 May 2021:
The High State Council issued a statement expressing its great astonishment at the joint statement issued by the embassies of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, France and the United States in Libya, which indicated that the current time is not appropriate to make changes in positions related to preparing for Libya’s 24 December elections.
The HSC said ‘‘This statement is considered an interference in the internal affairs of Libya, and confirms that the violation of Libyan sovereignty does not depend only on the presence of foreign mercenaries on the ground, but is manifested through an attempt to impose foreign political dictates that are categorically rejected’’.
By Sami Zaptia.
U.S. Ambassador Norland says U.S. companies are ready to cooperate including supplying Libya with the anti-Coronavirus vaccine (Photo: Health Ministry).
London, 6 May 2021:
U.S. companies are ready to support and cooperate in the Libyan health sector and provide the anti-Coronavirus vaccine. The statement was reported by the Libyan Health Ministry after U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland held a zoom meeting with Ali Zanati, Libya’s Health Minister yesterday.
Ways of cooperation between the two countries in the health sector, and the extent of benefiting from the various American experiences in this field were discussed.
The meeting also touched on the global epidemiological situation represented by the emerging corona virus (Covid-19), and the need to join all efforts to eliminate it by discussing the mechanism for providing vaccines.
By
London, 25 April 2021:
The U.S. Embassy for Libya announced today that its Ambassador Richard Norland spoke with HoR head Ageela Saleh from London on Friday (23 April) to discuss progress on elections and on the 2021 budget.
The Embassy statement said Ambassador Norland welcomed the Saleh’s ‘‘firm commitment to holding national elections on December 24 and his assessment of progress toward a constitutional and legal basis to facilitate the elections. The Speaker also provided an update on negotiations to finalize a budget that can address the nation’s most immediate and pressing needs’’.
The 2021 budget
It will be recalled that Libya’s parliament, headed by Saleh, rejected on 20 April the draft 2021 budget presented by Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba’s government and sent it back with huge amendments.