America confirms its commitment to support Libya in resisting “external interference”

The United States affirmed, through its embassy in Libya, its commitment to “supporting the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people,” based on what it called “its own experience in resisting external interference.” This came at a time when political circles in Libya were preoccupied with the significance of a decision issued by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, to include one of his military battalions in a brigade led by his son Khaled.

“Since the birth of our nation, we have been guided by the principles set forth in the preamble to the United States Constitution,” said Richard Norland, America’s special envoy and ambassador to Libya.

Norland added, in a statement, via his embassy account on Twitter, yesterday, that these principles say: “We are the people of the United States, desiring to create a more perfect union, to establish justice, to ensure internal stability, to provide means for common defense, and to promote good. General, and securing freedom for us and our future generations, we draw and draft this constitution for the United States of America,” adding: “We want the same thing for the Libyan people, and we stand with them in their calls to achieve national unity, the full restoration of sovereignty, and just development.” The embassy re-published a link to the “ten-year strategy”, previously announced by the US State Department, on March 24, which centers around preventing conflict and promoting stability in Libya.

Meanwhile, political activists in Libya circulated widely a decision attributed to Field Marshal Haftar, also published by pro-army platforms, to disband the “115th Battalion”, which controls al-Marj, and join it to the “106th Brigade Majhafel”, which is led by his son Khaled.

The army general command did not reveal the reason for joining the battalion into the military brigade, but a source close to the army denied what was reported that this action came against the background of an “old conflict” between their two commands, and said that this merger “might strengthen the strength of the brigade.”

While Field Marshal Haftar did not finish his visit to Rome, which he began last Wednesday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani saw that “the mistake made by the French in eliminating (the late Libyan President Muammar) Gaddafi caused severe damage to their country.” Taiani added, according to the Italian agency, “Aki”, yesterday, that “the historical relations that bind us and Libya give us the right to talk with it in the immigration file … and we represent a political force and a leading country in the Mediterranean region, and the second largest industrial country in Europe, and one of the founders of the European Union.” This also makes it our right to speak with representatives of Libyan politics.

With regard to the popular protests, which took place in the city of Zawiya (west), a week ago, hundreds of citizens gathered, yesterday afternoon, in Martyrs Square in the city, announcing their adherence to sit-in in the square, until their demands, represented in restoring stability, and addressing the crime and corruption spread in their city, are fulfilled. And a drone flew over the city, coinciding with the entry of a military force from the Ministry of Defense of the Dibiya government, there, in partnership with the “15” committee consisting of the youth of the “Zawiya Movement”, dignitaries and elders from the city; With the aim of confronting armed formations and “mercenaries”.

In a recent context, the French embassy in Libya said yesterday that Ambassador Mustafa Maharaj discussed, with the head of the “unity” government, Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba, the crisis in Sudan, and its impact on neighboring countries, and they also discussed the political track, in light of the initiative of the United Nations Special Representative. Abdullah Batili.

On a different matter, the adviser to the Libyan National Security Council, Ibrahim Bushnaf, discussed with Mabrouka Juma, the head of the Civil Society Commission, the mechanism of international organizations’ work in the country, “in a manner that does not affect the national security constants of Libya.” The council said, in a statement, that the meeting dealt with “the work of international organizations and institutions in Libya, on a number of files that would destabilize and implicate the country in heavy files that it is indispensable.”

The meeting also discussed the latest developments related to the proposed law that regulates the work of civil society organizations, which is presented to members of the House of Representatives, and concluded that “the need to adhere to all controls and standards set by the Civil Society Commission with the National Security Council, especially with regard to the work of foreign organizations in Libya.”

In addition, the National Oil Corporation in Libya said that its president, Farhat bin Qadara, discussed with the governor of the Central Bank, Al-Siddiq Al-Kabeer, ways to support the corporation’s efforts to contribute to increasing oil and gas production and stability. The meeting also reviewed the corporation’s operational and development plan aimed at raising production to Two million barrels a day.

Qadara had discussed with Al-Dabaiba, at the Cabinet headquarters, yesterday, the National Oil Corporation’s development plan for the year 2023.