U.S. president Donald Trump’s policy towards Libya is not as clear as it was during his predecessors’ era, Libyan politician Abdel Azeem al-Bashti has claimed.
In Friday statements to LIVE TV show, aired on the privately-owned 218 NEWS channel, he added that Trump is “closely and carefully” following European mediations and attempts to reach a political solution in Libya.
However, the U.S. is keen on stability in Libya, that is why Trump started to intervene indirectly through the European sides and push them towards “more serious steps” to achieve unity between the rival Libyan parties, according to Bashti.
He expected an expansion of the American role in Libya by next year due to the developing relation between Russia and military commander Khalifa Haftar.
“When trumps feels worried about the Russian influence, he will step into the political scene,” Bashti said.
Frank Talbot, an independent research consultant focused on conflict analysis and transitional governance in the Mediterranean region, suggested in a November opinion article that the U.S. House of Representatives still needs to exert efforts to push the U.S. administration to take further steps regarding the political situation in Libya.
He said the 2012’s attack on the American diplomatic facility in Benghazi affected diplomatic relations negatively, especially with the complete closure of the American embassy in Libya in 2014.
However, the time has come to reshape the U.S.-Libyan relations for the better.
“The truth is, numerous issues relating to diplomatic security were identified after the Benghazi attack, and thankfully several measures have been taken. However, the House must do more to signal to the administration that it is time for the State Department to get back to doing what they do best – robust, on-the-ground engagement,” Talbot stated.
He also argued that Libya would be a suitable country for the U.S. to re-voice its principles internationally again. Talbot explained that principles like human rights, freedom of the press, and democracy are considered to be under threat in Libya, which makes an American intervention even more desired.
“In order to achieve these objectives, representatives must be better informed of developments in Libya and the efforts underway by the U.S. administration, the United Nations, and other countries.
“Holding hearings, reading CRS reports and participating in CODELs are absolutely essential. However, representatives can do more,” Talbot wrote.
In 2012, three American diplomats, including ambassador John Christopher Stevens, were killed in a terrorist attack by Ansar al-Sharia group on American diplomatic facilities in Benghazi.
The attack followed a public rage wave and protests in several places of the MENA region as a result of American anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
