Norland: Misurata clashes reinforce the importance of the elections

The US Ambassador to Libya and Special Envoy Richard Norland, has said that the clashes that took place on Saturday in Misurata between the Joint Operations Force and a group affiliated with the parallel government “demonstrate the urgent necessity to immediately embrace an agreed path to elections which can install a truly legitimate, unified government” 

It is necessary that Libyan politicians immediately adopt an agreed path to hold elections that can establish a truly legitimate united government to serve the interests of all Libyans, Norland explained, according to a statement published by the US Embassy on its Twitter account.

He added that the clashes also show the “dangerous possibility that the recent violence will escalate,” calling on all political actors and their supporters among the armed groups to withdraw to avoid escalation and further loss of life.

He stressed that “the armed efforts, either to test or defend the political status quo, risk bringing Libya back to an era its citizens thought had been left behind,” declaring that those responsible for such a scenario would be held accountable.