US Supports Holding Libyan Elections, Preserving Oil Resources

US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland with MP Abdul-Salam Nassiya in Tunis (US Embassy)
US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland with MP Abdul-Salam Nassiya in Tunis (US Embassy)
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US Supports Holding Libyan Elections, Preserving Oil Resources

US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland with MP Abdul-Salam Nassiya in Tunis (US Embassy)
US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland with MP Abdul-Salam Nassiya in Tunis (US Embassy)

US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland has met with MP Abdul-Salam Nassiya in Tunis to discuss the important efforts underway to support Libyans’ demand to hold elections.

The US will continue to support this effort and work with all sides in Libya with the goal of completing Libya’s transition to a democratic, stable, and prosperous country, Norland said.

A statement issued by Speaker of Parliament Aguila Saleh on Saturday ordered the freezing of oil revenues in the Foreign Bank of Libya until establishing safeguards and a mechanism to ensure that all Libyans benefit from this income, "in a manner that achieves justice and equality for all.”

Washington has reiterated support for the temporary freezing of oil revenues in the National Oil Corporation (NOC) account at the Libyan Foreign Bank until reaching an agreement on a revenue management mechanism.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Libya said Saturday that an agreement on a mechanism for transparent management of oil revenues is imperative for restoring Libya's oil production.

"The Mechanism should incorporate agreement on priority expenditures, transparency measures, and steps to ensure oversight and accountability," the embassy said.

It affirmed Washington's willingness to provide technical assistance at the request of the Libyan parties to assist in setting up such a mechanism, emphasizing that progress on such important issues will contribute to creating a more stable political environment that will help restore momentum toward parliamentary and presidential elections.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon's Presidential Election is My Priority After Ceasefire

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon's Presidential Election is My Priority After Ceasefire

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has set the presidential election session for January 9, 2024, calling it a “productive” meeting and announcing that accredited ambassadors in Lebanon will be invited.

Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat that his priority after the ceasefire with Israel is the presidential election, which he called a “national necessity.”

The announcement came as French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders about restarting stalled political efforts due to the war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Both Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron late Wednesday.

Macron discussed with Mikati the current situation in Lebanon following the ceasefire, as well as the implementation of decisions made at the recent Lebanon Support Conference in Paris.

In his call with Berri, Macron addressed the general situation, recent steps taken by Lebanon regarding the ceasefire and Israeli provocations, and preparations for the presidential election.

This renewed presidential push comes after more than two years of a vacant presidency, with Lebanese political parties still divided over a consensus candidate.