The US embassy in Libya said in a statement Friday that while the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum "prepares to get underway in Tunis", ambassador Richard Norland spoke with Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala to convey the US embassy’s intention to begin formal consultations with Libyan authorities on the lengthy process to secure property in Tripoli to facilitate long-term American diplomatic engagements in Libya. 

“Although we are a long way from actually being able to open an Embassy, the prospect of progress toward political stability affords the opportunity to begin to explore the procedural steps and bilateral negotiations required to set that process in motion,” ambassador Norland said. 

Meanwhile, the US embassy said that as security and logistical considerations allow, it will continue to travel across Libya to engage a broad range of Libyan leaders in support of the ongoing UN-facilitated intra-Libyan dialogue. 

"The ambassador underscored to Foreign Minister Sayala the great US respect for the Libyan patriots participating in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) as they gather in Tunis on Monday to finalize a roadmap to national elections, the success of which will contribute significantly to peace and security in Libya." The statement reads.

The Libyan Foreign Ministry said the discussion with the US ambassador came as part of its efforts to urge all diplomatic missions to return to Libya and operate from the inside, as Sayala conveyed to Norland their readiness to help the embassy find its desired property in Tripoli.