US Announces Support for Rescheduling ‘Realistic Elections’ in Libya

Arab World

January 1st, 6:17am

Cairo - Khalid Mahmoud

US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland during a previous visit to Tripoli. Photo: US Embassy

US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland has announced his support for the efforts exerted by “Libyan leaders” to hold “realistic elections.” “The United States shares the disappointment that so many Libyan people feel” that the elections scheduled for December have been postponed, he said in a message to the Libyan people on the occasion of the New Year. However, “the momentum for elections is still very strong,” he said. “Two and a half million Libyans have registered to vote and they want to cast their ballots.” “Libyan leaders are working very hard to try to reschedule realistic elections in an early timeframe. The United states supports that process,” the diplomat added. As for Stephanie Williams, the special adviser to the UN chief on Libya, she reiterated “the UN’s firm commitment to support the relevant authorities to fulfill the legitimate and longstanding aspirations of 2.8 million Libyan citizens who registered to vote.” “I stress once again the importance of ensuring suitable conditions to keep the electoral process moving forward on a solid basis and on a level playing field in which no candidate enjoys unfair advantages.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3389376/us-announces-support-rescheduling-%E2%80%98realistic-elections%E2%80%99-libya