From one of the celebrations of the National Unity Government in the capital, Tripoli, to commemorate the Libyan revolution against the Gaddafi regime (Reuters)

Tripoli -

The American ambassador and special envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, announced that the United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Libyans to achieve what it described as their “long-term aspirations” towards choosing a unified government that guarantees equal development for all regions of the country and achieving peace in the long term. He also stressed the continuation of His country continues to strengthen its partnership with all residents of Libya in all parts of it.

In a statement published by the American embassy in Libya on Saturday, on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Libyan revolution against the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, on February 17, 2011, the American envoy to Libya stated that his country “strongly encourages all Libyan leaders to put aside their differences and give priority to the good.” Year of the Libyan nation,” and participating in what he described as “an honest dialogue” would lead the country toward “a new pivotal moment in its history, and a better future that the Libyan people deserve,” as he described it.

Special Envoy Ambassador Norland: “On the thirteenth anniversary of the February 17 Revolution, the United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting Libyans from the east, west, and south in their efforts to achieve their long-term aspirations towards choosing a unified government that guarantees equal development for all regions of the country and achieve peace and prosperity… pic.twitter.com .com/SJS6toqgW2

— US Embassy – Libya (@USEmbassyLibya) February 17, 2024

Calls for unity

The British Embassy in Libya also announced that “the anniversary of the Libyan revolution is a reminder that Libyans deserve to have their voices heard through fair and inclusive elections that lead to a peaceful and prosperous future.”

The French embassy in Libya said, "France - on the occasion of the anniversary of the Libyan revolution - stands with the Libyan people in their aspiration for stability, security and sovereignty, and to go to presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible."

The German ambassador to Libya, Michael Unmacht, published a video clip on his official page on the “X” website, which he recorded in the city of Benghazi, which he described as the cradle of the Libyan revolution. He said, “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the ambition and aspirations of the Libyan people towards freedom and democracy.”

In a related context, the UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Batili, warned that the continuation of the status quo in Libya constitutes a major threat to the country’s unity, and said that “the fragility of national institutions and deep divisions within the state entail serious risks to its stability.”

In a statement published by the mission on the occasion of the anniversary of the revolution today, Saturday, Batelli called on the Libyan leaders to acknowledge “the daily suffering that the Libyans face,” and to work to achieve their aspirations, and stressed the need for Libyan leaders to “bear their responsibility, and for their decisions and actions to be subject to accountability, as they directly affect... On the lives of the Libyan people.

Batelli called on the parties to the crisis in Libya to “come together on a unified word in order to settle all the politically disputed issues, and agree on a way to move forward towards building a strong, united Libya capable of withstanding the challenges.” He said, “There is no path to a better future. Where freedom and democracy prevail, except through the expression of good intentions and the spirit of compromise.”

The UN envoy said, "The Libyans have waited long enough, and they cannot accept further delay in forming a unified government that unites all Libyan regions, to restore cohesion to the social fabric, revive the economy, and restore the sovereignty and dignity of the Libyan nation."

From the city of Benghazi, the cradle of the Libyan revolution, I congratulate the Libyan people on the occasion of the thirteenth anniversary of the Libyan revolution, as this anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the ambition and aspirations of the Libyan people towards freedom and democracy.


Happy new year to #Libya. 🇱🇾🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/QVjIhMhuFi

— Michael Ohnmacht (@GermanAmbLBY) February 17, 2024

Ongoing security tension

While today, Saturday, Libyans commemorate the 13th anniversary of the revolution against the former regime with a central celebration in the capital, Tripoli, organized by the National Unity Government, in the presence of ambassadors of foreign and Arab countries, along with the people and residents of the capital, sporadic security incidents continue to occur in various places in the capital.

Late last Saturday night, the Janzour area, west of the capital, witnessed armed clashes between regular forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior and the Army Chief of Staff, without causing any human damage, against the backdrop of competition over positions of influence in the region.

The Ministries of Interior and Defense or the Chief of Staff of the Army did not announce these clashes, which took place close to the United Nations mission in Libya, in which light and medium weapons were used, and their sounds rang out in areas west of the capital without causing harm to civilians.

In a briefing before the UN Security Council on February 15, the UN envoy to Libya described the security situation in the capital, Tripoli, as “fragile,” due to what he said was “the intensification of competition between security actors, to extend field control over strategic areas in the capital, including areas Which includes military bases and state institutions, including the Central Bank of Libya.

Source: Al Jazeera