The United States (US) has welcomed the appointment by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres of Abdoulaye Bathily as the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The US Department of State said in a statement on Sunday that it will provide full support to Special Representative Bathily as he mediates the Libya-led political process, and called upon the international community to work in lockstep with the Special Representative. 

"The Libyan people have demanded an opportunity to choose their leaders through free and fair elections, which are essential to confer legitimacy and ensure accountability for a new government." The statement reads, adding that there's a clear need for all sides to work in good faith and with a sense of urgency to reach agreement on a constitutional framework and concrete timeline for elections.

The US also encouraged Special Representative Bathily to prioritize efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in Libya’s state institutions as well as the work of the UN ceasefire monitoring mission as it assists the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission in overseeing the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries.