The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sirraj met Tuesday wit the new commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Stephan Townsend, accompanied by the new U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland in the Tunisian capital.
AFRICOM said in a statement that discussions included the security environment, the importance of addressing the existing violent extremist organization threat, and the need to resolve the conflict in Libya.
“We emphasized to Prime Minister Al-Sirraj the importance of supporting a diplomatic solution to put an end to the current conflict." Said AFRICOM commander.
AFRICOM said that Townsend and Norland will later meet with Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salame.
"Townsend will discuss with Salame ways the U.S. military might continue to cooperate with the UN in support of a political settlement in Libya." It added.
AFRICOM said also that the U.S. is committed to open and transparent dialogue on this urgent security issue and that it fully supports the United Nations, U.S. State Department and the Libya External Office's efforts to promote stability and shared prosperity in Libya.
Given the existing conflict in Libya, Townsend noted the importance of ensuring the violent extremist organization threat is contained and does not create additional instability in Libya and the region.
“It is important to ensure violent extremist organizations do not feel they can use circumstances in Libya to create chaos and further their objectives. This was a mutual area of interest and point of discussion during our meetings. Close cooperation is important to address the VEO threat.” The commander added.
AFRICOM indicated that it continues to support diplomatic efforts to stabilize the political situation in Libya and disrupt terrorist organizations that threaten regional stability.
"While AFRICOM personnel are not currently located in Libya, the command continues to monitor conditions in Libya and assess the feasibility for a renewed U.S. military presence once the security environment permits doing so." The statement remarked.
