Libyan leaders must make compromises for free elections: US envoy

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Political leaders in Libya must compromise to meet public expectations for free and fair elections, a senior US diplomat told regional countries, according to an official statement on Tuesday.

US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland said this will be an essential step towards stability, unity, and democracy in the North African nation, said the US State Department on the diplomat's visits to Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco on Aug. 10-16.

Norland met with senior officials in all three countries, focusing on the urgency of establishing the constitutional basis and legal framework needed for parliamentary and presidential elections set for late December.

Norland also noted that stability and continued progress on the political and security process will lead to greater economic opportunities, foreign investment, and prosperity for Libyans.

While in Cairo, Norland also spoke to warlord Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the illegal forces in eastern Libya.

During that meeting, he stressed that the US supports the right of Libyans to select their leaders through an open democratic process.

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

On Feb. 5, Libya's rival political groups agreed during UN-mediated talks to form an interim unity government to lead the country to elections.

On March 16, an elected transitional authority, made up of a unity government and a presidential council, assumed duties to lead the country through a transitional phase to parliamentary and presidential elections slated for Dec. 24.