The US Special Envoy for Libya said on Monday that the United States is engaged in discussions with key parties in the country regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces ahead of the scheduled elections in December. Special Envoy Richard Norland told reporters that part of the importance of the elections in Libya lies in the fact that a strong and legitimate government could pressure foreign parties to withdraw their forces. Norland stated this before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Berlin to participate in the second conference on Libya this week, adding, "This will be a very significant and impactful development, but we are not suggesting waiting until next year to make some progress."
He further noted, "Negotiations are underway with some key parties aimed at trying to push some mercenaries and foreign fighters to leave." Libya has been in chaos and violence for a decade since a NATO-backed uprising ousted the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, but the main warring factions agreed this year to form a new government. However, while the formation of a unified government and the push for general elections in December are seen as the best hope for a sustainable political solution in years, this process still faces challenges. Most of the territory remains under the control of armed local groups, major foreign powers have not withdrawn their fighters from the front lines, and there continues to be disputes among key figures over the management of Libya's economic resources.
