The US special envoy to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland, called on Wednesday for all warring parties to stop destabilizing the country, saying that Libya has made significant progress in recent months towards unifying the country and holding elections.
In a statement, Norland said that the violence that broke out in Tripoli on Tuesday could hinder this progress. He stressed that the United States intends to continue to support Libyan leaders to engage in dialogue to unify the country and hold elections.
“The return to fighting is always worrying,” Norland said. “But it is now important to immediately contain the violence. There are legitimate grievances by different parties, but they can be resolved through dialogue.”
The Arab League also expressed concern over the clashes in Tripoli, calling for an immediate cessation of violence. The league’s general secretariat said that the clashes reaffirm the importance of accelerating the unification of state institutions and completing the transition process by holding elections as soon as possible.
The clashes in Tripoli broke out on Tuesday between forces loyal to the Government of National Unity and those loyal to the rival Libyan National Army. The fighting has killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens more.
The violence is a setback for efforts to bring peace to Libya, which has been mired in conflict since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Government of National Unity was formed in March 2022 in an attempt to unite the country and pave the way for elections.
The United States and the Arab League are urging all Libyan parties to stop fighting and return to dialogue. They say that the only way to achieve peace in Libya is through a political solution.
