The meeting of General Stephen Townsend, commander of the US military in Africa, Africom, came on Monday with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in the presence of US Ambassador Richard Norland, to reflect Washington's growing interest in Libyan affairs in light of the rapid developments taking place in this country.
David Mac, the former ambassador to the State Department, said in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net that the developments of recent weeks have prompted "the forces associated with the National Accord government to enjoy the momentum on the ground, while the forces associated with General Khalifa Hifter began recalculating their accounts about the advantages and disadvantages of loyalty to his leadership."
Hifter's burden is increasing
Various news reports have indicated an increasing awareness of Haftar's personal burden on political forces in eastern Libya.
And external actors - such as Egypt, Turkey, Russia and the UAE - play various roles in order to extend their influence and establish special relations with this or that faction between the rival political groups. As for America, according to Ambassador Mac, it continues to insist on a comprehensive political agreement that would "restore Libya more united".
Wolfgang Postztai, who is president of the Council on American-Libyan Relations, says that there are no vital strategic interests of the United States in Libya, and therefore "their participation will remain limited, especially with the imminent election season."
Trump will not take risks
In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Wolfgang stressed that "in light of the upcoming presidential elections, Trump will not risk politically or militarily about Libya."
During their joint meeting with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, Ambassador Norland and General Townsend sent a clear message opposing the Egyptian role, whether diplomatic or military.
Mack, who previously worked as a diplomat in Libya during the era of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, considered that Washington is focusing its efforts on "the necessity of commitment to work under the auspices of the United Nations through the 5 + 5 talks in Geneva, which was agreed upon in the general framework of the Berlin conference."
The former diplomat believes that Washington has indicated that "Cairo's efforts to replace the UN talks, through its own proposed proposal, as a distraction and a departure from the essence of the crisis, and we must remember that Egypt does not enjoy a good relationship with the legitimate government in Tripoli at the present time."
Other factions
American experts believe that if the "5 + 5" talks succeed, the cease-fire may be achieved, which in turn serves the humanitarian goals, and opens the way for a resumption of economic activity in a natural way, paving the way for political talks.
Mac also believes that the internationally recognized national reconciliation government should be ready, ultimately, to speak with other factions in Libya that have yet to accept their leadership, but that political talks should take place under the auspices of the United Nations, and not be dictated by a specific foreign government.
On the other hand, the increasing foreign interference in Libya has confused Washington about how to deal with the Libyan issue.
But it is clear that Washington, Mac points out, is determined that the Russians should know that their military intervention in Libya in various ways carries grave dangers. "Libya will not be another Syria," said Mac.
Arms ban
Mac demanded that his country work to ensure that all governments observe the UN embargo on arms shipments to Libya.
In his speech, he considered that Washington had aimed from its recently increasing activity in Libya to send a message to Egypt confirming that previous discussions between Cairo and Washington did not mean approval of the nature of the Egyptian role in Libya.
He pointed out that those talks included the United States' understanding that Egypt and Libya share a very long border, and that Cairo needs to ensure that the unrest in Libya does not constitute a threat to Egyptian security.
Better ways
Mac went back to say that the United States does not agree with the instrument that Egypt appears to have chosen to protect its security - which is relying on a Libyan military dictatorship represented by General Hifter - and believes that there is a better way for Egypt to do this through a partnership with the United States and support the mediation process supervised by nations United.
He emphasized that "Washington, moreover, has not armed and trained the Egyptian military forces for decades so that it can be used for a military adventure in Libya."
Wolfgang agrees that the United States has become more close to the Libyan file, but with caution, noting that it is currently trying to stay away from direct interference in the ongoing conflict in Libya, yet "Washington appreciates the Turkish role, including the escalating military role against the Russians in Libya, except It is concerned about the increasing influence of Islamists, especially the extremists in Libya, against the backdrop of increasing discomfort from some of its European allies regarding Turkey's foothold on the southern shores of the Mediterranean.
On the other hand, Wolfgang mentioned that there are rumors that Washington has promised Cairo that the military-backed Al-Wefaq government operation will stop West of the oil-rich Sirte basin, which will keep it from the borders of Egypt, to say, "But the experience of events in Syria shows us that the United States has nothing Ensures Erdogan complies with her demands. "