The United States has demanded a dialogue between the Prime Minister of the Libyan National Unity Government, Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, who insists on remaining in the position, and the Prime Minister-designate from Parliament, Fathi Bashagha.
This came in a statement published by the US Embassy in Libya via its Twitter account, following a meeting between US Ambassador Richard Norland in Bashagha.
Norland praised Bashagha's readiness to engage in urgent negotiations led by the United Nations with the aim of reaching a political understanding with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, according to the statement.
The statement urged the two parties to do so only by peaceful means without resorting to violence.
He stressed that free, fair and inclusive elections are the only formula for lasting stability.
"In the current situation, siding with one party against another is not an option, and the only position that can be justifiably chosen is peaceful negotiations," he added.
Negotiations center on how to manage the final stages of this interim government period, and prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible.
The statement quoted Norland as saying that he understood from Dabaiba his willingness to participate in these talks.
He added that the format and location of the talks will be determined by the parties themselves, in consultation with the United Nations and international partners.
split back
And last Thursday, the United States said that Dabaiba and Bashagha are ready to enter into negotiations to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.
This comes amid a political division in Libya after the inauguration of the House of Representatives in Tobruk (east) Bashagha as the head of a new government, instead of the government of Dabaiba, which refuses to hand over power except to a government that comes through a new elected parliament.
Dabaiba is based on his adherence to the continuation of his government on the basis that the Political Dialogue Forum set the term of the transitional executive authority at 18 months, extending until June 24 next.
Disagreements between the official Libyan institutions regarding the electoral laws and the role of the judiciary in the electoral process made it impossible to hold elections on December 24, as part of a plan sponsored by the United Nations.
So far, no date has been set for the elections, which Libyans hope will contribute to ending the years of armed conflict that has plagued their oil-rich country.