The US Ambassador/Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, made phone calls Sunday with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and his rival Fathi Bashagha, appointed by the east-based House of Representatives.
In a tweet published by the US Embassy's account on Twitter, Norland said he was encouraged by the leaders' commitment to avoiding violence and finding ways to deescalate the situation amid the recent casualties of last week's clashes.
"I relayed deep concerns on the part of Mr. Bashagha that his rights to political expression were being threatened, including by armed groups, and I also relayed concerns by Mr. Dabaiba about steps he considered destabilizing to public order," Norland added.
The US ambassador pointed out that the basis of the differences between the parties is the issue of legitimacy, which he said can only be resolved through elections
"We discussed in each call possible steps that could be taken to restore momentum toward elections as soon as possible," Norland concluded.
