Speaking at the Security Council session on Libya yesterday, Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the US President on African Affairs said the US is, ‘‘working on concrete steps for economic and military integration by bringing together senior officials from eastern and western Libya.”
He said US Africa Command (AFRICOM) will conduct its annual training exercises with forces from eastern and western Libya in Sirte next April, marking the beginning of more joint training.
Boulos affirmed the United States’ full support for the Unified Development Program Agreement, encouraging Libyan leaders to implement it and adopt an annual budget, which he described as a major step toward economic reconciliation. He stressed that creating the conditions for unified governance, paving the way for elections, can be achieved through agreements and mutual concessions.
He stated that the Libyan people deserve a better future, especially given Libya’s enormous potential, which can only be realized by overcoming political division. He affirmed that the United States will be at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Libya, supporting the Libyan leadership and the UN roadmap.
Boulos concluded his remarks to the Security Council by addressing Libyan leaders, saying that it is time to overcome past divisions. He expressed cautious optimism given the current situation in the country, emphasizing that stability in Libya will enhance security in the Mediterranean and North Africa, and that the United States looks forward to continuing to work with Libya, the United Nations, and international partners.
UNSMIL head Tetteh more pessimistic
However, in contrast, in her remarks on the situation in Libya to the UN Security Council yesterday, UNSMIL head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh said ‘‘Regrettably, there has been no meaningful progress between the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS) in completing the first two steps of the Roadmap, despite UNSMIL’s efforts’’.
