Category: U.S. – Libya News/Action

USLBA Holiday Reception 2023

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On December 12, the US-Libya Business Association (USLBA) held its much-anticipated annual Holiday Reception at the Army Navy Club in Washington, DC. This year’s event was marked by illuminating keynote addresses from Jeff Hulse, the State Department’s Deputy Director of the Office of North African Affairs, and Libya’s Chargé d’affaires, Fadil Sanusi Omar. Their speeches, rich in insights, significantly deepened our understanding of the evolving US-Libya relationship, highlighting both challenges and opportunities.

We were honored to host an array of distinguished guests, including experts from academia, the US government, and leading figures from the private sector. Their diverse perspectives and discussions contributed immensely to the evening’s success, fostering an environment of thoughtful dialogue and mutual learning.

Their steadfast support, extending beyond financial contributions, reflects a profound commitment to the ideals of collaboration and mutual growth. Their engagement was instrumental in bringing our vision for this event to life.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, making this event not just a gathering, but a celebration of shared goals and aspirations. As we look forward to 2024, we are more committed than ever to strengthening and advancing the US-Libya economic cooperation, building on the foundations laid by our partners and supporters at this memorable event.

USLBA Hosts Meeting with High State Council Chairman Mohammed Takala

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On Nov 15, the US-Libya Business Association (USLBA) conducted a fruitful meeting with Chairman Mohammed Takala and esteemed delegates from the High State Council. This high-level dialogue focused on the critical role of American enterprises in Libya’s economic landscape and the exploration of Libya’s potential in the green energy sector.

The discussions highlighted the mutual benefits of American involvement in Libya’s economic development, particularly in leveraging Libya’s potential as a hub for sustainable energy. The USLBA is committed to facilitating this collaboration, which is poised to contribute significantly to economic growth and sustainability in both nations.

We anticipate a strong partnership ahead, driven by shared goals of innovation, economic progress, and environmental responsibility.

USLBA Partners with ECP to support Libya Energy & Economic Summit

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On January 13-14, 2024, Energy Capital & Power (ECP) will host the Libya Energy & Economic Summit in Tripoli, Libya at the Rixos Convention Centre. USLBA is pleased to announce that our organization will join as a partner for this event.

The Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2023 promises to be an event of significance, following the successful summit in 2021. It marks a continuous international collaboration in Libya’s energy sector. The Office of the Prime Minister of Libya has granted an official endorsement of the event that seeks to drive foreign capital, technology, and expertise into the country’s energy sector, harnessing sectoral revitalization as a catalyst for broader social and economic growth.

Event organizer ECP is working closely with Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, the National Oil Corporation, along with leading international oil companies and international service firms that have expressed a commitment to Libya’s growth.

U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability 10-Year Plan for Libya

Posted on by Lydia Jabs

As part of the Global Fragility Act, the US government has released to Congress a 10-year strategic plan to prevent conflict and promote stability in Libya. The plan focuses on four main pillars: political reconciliation, security sector reform, economic reform and the provision of essential services, and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. The plan aims to support Libya’s efforts to achieve a durable and inclusive political solution to the ongoing conflict, which includes promoting human rights and accountability, addressing the root causes of the conflict, and supporting the building of resilient institutions. The US government also pledged to work with Libya’s neighbors and international partners to implement this strategy. Read more about the strategy here.

Congressional Research Report to Congress on Libya and U.S. Policy

Posted on by Lydia Jabs

Successive U.S. Administrations have sought to prevent Libya from serving as a permissive environment for transnational terrorist groups and have taken different approaches to conflict and competition among Libyans. The Biden Administration supports the holding of new elections in Libya and has used U.S. influence to bolster U.N.-led mediation efforts to that end. Congress has appropriated funds to enable U.S. diplomacy and aid programs, and some Members have called for more assertive U.S. engagement. The postponement of planned elections in 2021, Libyans’ continuing lack of consensus over constitutional and legal arrangements, the potential fragility of a United Nations (U.N.)-backed ceasefire, and the re-emergence of institutional rivalry are prolonging Libya’s instability and pose challenges for U.S. decisionmakers. Read more from the US Naval Institute.

US Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Libya

Posted on by Lydia Jabs

Ambassador Robert Wood said that the status quo in Libya is not stable, with heightened risks of partition, energy disruptions, further political strife, and violence. The only viable path to a durable peace in Libya is enabling the Libyan people to choose their own leaders in national elections. Now is the time to restore momentum. The United States endorses action by Special Representative Bathily and UNSMIL to directly address the electoral process via an UN-facilitated elections-enabling mechanism that will secure the resolution of the issues that stand in the way of elections in Libya. The SRSG has outlined an inclusive process that keeps key institutions and leaders at the table – however, there is no room for spoilers seeking to thwart the will of the Libyan people. Read more from the US Mission to the UN.

US Hosts Meeting to Support Libyan Elections

Posted on by Lydia Jabs

In Washington, the United States hosted the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, and senior officials from Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Türkiye, the UAE, and the UK, to discuss the Libyan people’s demand for presidential and parliamentary elections. Ahead of his briefing to the UN Security Council, Special Representative Bathily updated participants on his consultations with Libyan leaders and institutions in order to promote consensus leading to elections in 2023. Participants took note of the achievements made by the Libyan House of Representatives and High Council of State in Egypt-facilitated negotiations on a constitutional basis for elections and consulted on the next steps in finalizing election preparations. In remarks to the visiting officials, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman underscored the U.S. agreement with SRSG Bathily that we should help make 2023 the year of free and fair Libyan elections. Read more from the US State Department.

USAID Confirms Support for Libyan Elections, Visits HNEC HQ in Libya

Posted on by Lydia Jabs

USAID confirmed its willingness to provide assistance for Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) in the area of managing and executing the upcoming elections, thereby bolstering their preparedness for the achievement of the democratic process in Libya. John Cardenas, the representative of USAID, accompanied by his deputy Nathan Park, paid a visit to the HNEC headquarters on Wednesday, in support of the international community’s efforts to encourage and facilitate democratic practices in Libya. The HNEC, for their part, expressed their gratitude towards the international community’s endeavors in bringing the transitional phase to a close and establishing a secure democratic state through a transparent electoral process. Read more from the Libya Herald.