In a significant development for Libya’s political landscape, a U.S. delegation met with Mohamed Takala, the Head of the Libyan High Council of State, on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on the initiative proposed by the Head of the United Nations (UN) Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, which calls for a five-party table to foster political consensus.
This initiative aims to address the Libyan crisis, rejuvenate the democratic process, and pave the way for the long-delayed elections initially set for December 2021.
According to a statement by the State Council on its Facebook page, the discussion also covered alternative proposals in case Bathily’s initiative fails.
The meeting, held at the State Council’s headquarters, saw the attendance of Mohamed Takala along with his first deputy, Masoud Aoueid, and Mohamed Emazzab, the head of the Libyan-American Communication Committee.
Representing the U.S. were Joshua Harris, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for North Africa, U.S. Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland, and Acting U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt.
Takala reaffirmed the State Council’s commitment to political agreements and their outcomes. He highlighted the Council’s initial agreement to participate in dialogue discussions, supporting efforts towards a comprehensive and just national reconciliation.
Takala emphasized the importance of drafting electoral laws that gain widespread legal and political consensus, grounded in the Constitutional Declaration and internationally and nationally endorsed political agreements.
In November, Bathily launched an initiative to convene a summit among the five key parties in the Libyan crisis. The summit’s goal is to resolve pending issues regarding the elections.
However, in his briefing to the Security Council last month, Bathily criticized some Libyan leaders for their stagnant positions and lack of clear commitment to ending the country’s political deadlock.
He noted that while these leaders did not outright reject the invitation to the five-party meeting, some set conditions for their participation.
