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Libya Conference Focuses on Elections, Security

VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State Antony'¯Blinken'¯is in Berlin for
   talksWednesdaywith German leaders and to'¯take part in a conference on
   Libya's political future.'¯

   Germany and the United Nations are hostingtheBerlin conference, seeking
   to build on earlier efforts to bring about a lasting halt in fighting
   in Libya and support a stable government.'¯'¯

   "We have an opportunity that we have not had in recent years to really
   help Libya move forward as a safe, secure, sovereign
   country,"Blinkensaid after a morning meeting with German Foreign
   Minister Heiko Maas.

   Speaking to reporters alongside Maas,Blinkensaid there was consensus on
   what steps to take to best help Libya, mainly ensuring the
   implementation of a cease-fire and the departure of foreign forces from
   the country.

   U.S.'¯Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland'¯told reporters Monday
   thattheconferencewould provide momentum for steps that need to be taken
   soon'¯for'¯elections to be held in December, including establishing a
   constitutional and legal basis for the vote.'¯'¯
   WATCH: State Dept. correspondent Cindy Saine's report

   Political instability
   Libya has experienced political instability since the 2011 NATO-backed
   uprising that ousted longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi from power.'¯Rival
   governments'¯operated'¯in separate parts of the country for years
   before a cease-fire deal in October that included a demand for all
   foreign fighters and mercenaries to leave Libya within'¯90 days,'¯or
   about 3 months.'¯'¯ '¯'¯

   "On the foreign forces, you're quite right that forces have not
   departed yet, and our basic position is we should not wait until after
   the elections to try to make some progress on this goal," Norland
   said.'¯"One of the reasons elections are so important is so that a
   fully empowered, credible, legitimate Libyan government can turn to
   foreign actors and say,'¯'It's time to take your troops out.'"'¯'¯ '¯'¯

   Norland said those attending the Berlin conference would also discuss
   "destabilizing actions by armed groups and terrorism," citing recent
   attacks in Libya claims by Islamic State militants.'¯'¯

   Holocaust awareness
   Blinkenand Maas are due to reconvene Wednesday to focus on the need to
   counter those who are denying or distorting the Holocaust.

   Blinkensaid Tuesday they would discuss "how we can ensure that the
   lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten."

   U.S.'¯Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Cherrie Daniels'¯told
   reportersMonday thatpromoting greater education about the Holocaust,
   its consequences and its origins will help government officials and the
   public "recognize modern manifestations of anti-Semitism and even other
   forms of hatred" and push back against them.'¯'¯ '¯

   "As knowledge of the Holocaust wanes, nefarious individuals,
   organizations, and occasionally governments engage in Holocaust denial
   and distortion for all manner of ends," Daniels said. '¯'¯

   Islamic State
   Defeating Islamic State will be the focus of another conference
   co-hosted by'¯Blinken'¯and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio
   as'¯Blinken'¯visits Rome on a later stop during his European
   trip.'¯Blinken'¯is also due to take part in a ministerial meeting in
   Italy concerning Syria and the humanitarian needs in that country.'¯'¯
   The European trip also takes'¯Blinken'¯to'¯France to meet with
   President Emmanuel Macron, following up on'¯U.S.'¯President Joe Biden's
   recent meetings with allies in the region to boost trans-Atlantic
   relations.'¯'¯

   "This is really an opportunity for Secretary'¯Blinken'¯to reiterate
   thepresident's message and speak with our oldest ally about areas of
   cooperation, including global security, again, the
   pandemic's'¯--'¯recovery from the pandemic, and repairing and
   modernizing our alliances,"'¯Acting Assistant Secretary for European
   and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker'¯told reporters Monday.'¯'¯ '¯

   Blinken'¯is also scheduled to visit the Vatican, where Reeker said the
   agenda for meetings includes combatting climate change and human
   trafficking.

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