US Ambassador welcomes Libyan Interior Minister's commitment to integrate militias in Libya

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The US Ambassador to Libya and Special Envoy, Richard Norland, has welcomed commitments by Libyan Interior Minister, Khaled Mazen, to reintegrate militias and secure Libya's southern and western borders.

There are dozens of armed groups and militias in Libya, formed in the wake of the 17 February, 2011, revolution that toppled the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Used by different governments to provide security in the country, these militias and armed groups are often accused of contributing to the deterioration of security due to the multiple clashes between them.

In a series of tweets, the US embassy in Libya said the Libyan interior minister briefed the US ambassador in a virtual meeting on Tuesday on the interior ministry's preparations to secure Libya's December 24 elections, and prospects for expanded US cooperation with the interior ministry.

General elections are scheduled for 24 December, in accordance with the roadmap of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, but continuing disagreements over the adoption of a constitutional basis are jeopardising the organisation of the poll.

-0- PANA BY/IS/BBA/VAO 24Aug2021