The US Department of State said Monday that senior US officials met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar – General Commander of the Libyan National Army – on Sunday to discuss steps to achieve a suspension of hostilities and a political resolution to the Libyan conflict, without saying where the meeting was held.
The delegation included Deputy National Security Advisor for Middle Eastern and North African Affairs Victoria Coates, Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy Matthew Zais, and USAFRICOM Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs Brigadier General Steven deMilliano.
“These frank discussions build on recent talks with Tripoli-based officials aiming to establish a common basis for progress between the parties on the issues that divide them, in the context of moving toward a ceasefire.” The statement reads.
The US officials underscored the United States’ full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya and urged the parties to seize this opportunity to build a secure and prosperous future for Libya.
A day earlier, the Interior Minister of the Government of National Accord Fathi Bashagha admitted that several armed groups had been interfering in the world of state institutions, extort them and hinder their jobs.
In a televised statement posted on Facebook by the Interior Ministry, Bashagha called on the security authorities to devise a security plan to protect state institutions and to gather information on everyone hindering state authorities’ work.
In what appeared as an indirect threat prompted by international pressure on GNA, Bashagha said he would give the armed groups and officials who are involved in undermining national security a chance of few days to get away from “harming people’s lives”, in a tone that is not typical by Bashagha.
Sources told 218News that the meeting between Filed Marshal Haftar and US officials was probably held in Manama, Bahrain as the same delegation met the Bahraini Foreign Minister on the same day and as the date of the meeting coincides with the visit of the Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj to Manama.
