Massad Boulos, adviser to US President Donald Trump on Middle East and Africa affairs, affirmed Washington's appreciation for the support shown by the Libyan army toward American diplomatic efforts in Libya. He added that the United States will continue to engage with the General Command and key stakeholders from across Libya to help unify Libyan military, economic, and political institutions.
He stressed that the Libyan people deserve a way out of the current stalemate in order to achieve lasting peace, national unity, and a credible path toward successful elections.
He clarified that the United States is working closely with constructive Libyan parties, the UN Support Mission in Libya, and its international partners to help the Libyan people achieve these aspirations. He expressed Washington's welcome of a statement "which confirms that the General Command is ready to take more significant and courageous steps for the unity, peace, and prosperity of Libya."
Earlier on Thursday, the General Command of the Libyan Armed Forces announced its readiness to engage directly in any negotiating process regarding the American initiative to resolve the Libyan crisis. The Command affirmed that the initiative is based on unifying the executive authority as the starting point toward a comprehensive settlement of the country's political crisis.
In an official statement, the General Command of the Libyan army said that the initiative put forward by the United States through Massad Boulos, the US President's adviser, differs from previous initiatives, noting that it is grounded in realism and an understanding of the nature and complexities of the Libyan scene. The General Command confirmed that during its discussions with American officials it sensed a serious intention on Washington's part to help end the Libyan crisis, which has dragged on for years amid the failure of other tracks to achieve any tangible breakthrough.
The statement emphasised the General Command's adherence to national constants, foremost among them Libya's unity, territorial integrity, state sovereignty, and the preservation of the military institution, reaffirming its rejection of any pressure or attempts to undermine these principles.
It clarified that the American initiative focuses, within its general framework, on unifying the executive authority, while leaving the final details to negotiation among Libyan parties, considering that giving this initiative a chance may represent a genuine opening for ending the political division threatening the country's unity.
The General Command of the Libyan army formally announced its readiness to participate in negotiations on the initiative, with the aim of completing its details and reaching a final formula that serves the supreme national interest and charts a roadmap leading to elections as soon as possible.
It also affirmed its support for any domestic or international efforts that contribute to achieving consensus among Libyans and unifying state institutions, indicating that it will do everything in its power to ensure the success of the American initiative, provided the necessary support is forthcoming from the United States, the international community, and the relevant Libyan parties.