The United States Embassy in Libya called on Monday the local actors in the Libyan conflict to reconcile their differences through dialogue to allow the electoral process to go ahead.

"The threat of force is destabilizing, undermines efforts toward national unity, and is not a legitimate or sustainable way to resolve political differences in Libya," a readout from the embassy said.

The embassy's statements came after the High Council of State announced that armed men affiliated with Prime Minister Dbeibah encircled the Council's headquarters in Tripoli and prevented its members from entering the building.