The Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State, Joey Hood, has said Washington urges Libyans to hold elections on time and calls for the withdrawal of mercenaries from the country.

In an interview with Saudi TV channel, Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath, Hood reminded all stakeholders of the ceasefire agreement done by the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) on October 23, 2020, including the obligation to withdraw all foreign forces and mercenaries, which he said has become more necessary after the killing of the Chadian president Idriss Deby by rebels who were in southern Libya.

"That's why the Libyan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke bravely and called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and we support them." Hood added, saying Libya needs an election that can be trusted by the public so that the elected authorities can run the country legitimately.

"Then, with the support of the US, European Union, and the UN as well as other allies, Libya can be stable again. We are hopeful that Libya can fund reconstruction projects and that's why we are stressing the need for all foreign forces to leave and for elections to be held on time." He remarked.