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US Committed to Promoting Stability in Libya

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As Libya faces a difficult time of transition, the United States of America today reaffirmed commitment to promoting stability in the North African country.

In his remarks with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry both countries will discuss further the cooperation on security issues.

He says at the ministerial meeting in Paris last month, the United States pledged more assistance for security reform in Libya with particular emphasis on border security, rule of law, building a professional security force and institutions, and the control or destruction of chemical weapons that have been left over from the old regime.

Demonstrations in Bayda, on 22 July 2011.

“We will look for other ways to work together as we go forward in order to make Libya safer and to live up to its full potential.” – Secretary Kerry

US offers warm welcome to new leader of Libya

Secretary Kerry says this is the first visit to Washington of the Prime Minister as prime minister, but it’s an historic visit.

“The reason is very simple: He represents his country’s first democratically elected government in more than 40 years. And we all join in celebrating what has been accomplished in Libya: the liberation of a country that had been under the yoke of a dictator for decades.” – Secretary Kerry

He says the community of nations is very, very proud that we helped to give the Libyan people a fighting chance for their future and that we helped to prevent the slaughter of thousands of lives.

“So the fact that the Prime Minister is here with us today is testament to how far Libya has come, and frankly, how quickly it has come that far.” – Secretary Kerry

Standing with Libya in this difficult transition

According to Secretary Kerry, the Libyan people have begun to chart the course for their own future, and they’re defining it.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Transitional Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim ElKeib, conduct a press conference in Tripoli, Libya on Dec. 17, 2011.

Obviously, there are challenges ahead pfrom building political consensus to strengthening the security, protecting human rights, and growing the Libyan economy, Secretary Kerry noted.

“The Prime Minister, I think, understands, but I want to reiterate to him today, that the United States will continue to stand with Libya during this difficult time of transition.” – Secretary Kerry

He says both countries will cover a great deal in their meeting, but in the meeting that they just had, both talked about the difficulties of this transition period and the challenges, but also the wonderful assets that Libya has—the great, intelligent people, not that big a population, and wealth through the oil resources.

“Libya is a country that can win this future, and we believe in that.” – Secretary Kerry

US helps Libya spur its economy

According to Secretary Kerry, in terms of our economic partnership, the United States wants to create an economic environment in Libya that will spur outside investment and foster entrepreneurship.

He says Libya’s long-term prosperity will depend on creating greater opportunities for more people, for all of its citizens, for being an open society and an open economy.

Secretary Kerry adds the US is encouraging American businesses to take a look at Libya and to work to promote the kind of stability that will make investment in Libya even more attractive.

Cooperation after the attacks in Benghazi

Secretary Kerry says the US is grateful to the Government of Libya for its cooperation after the attacks in Benghazi.

“As President Obama has made very, very clear, those who killed Americans in Benghazi will be brought to justice, and I emphasize that today.” – Secretary Kerry

He cites Libya knows what a good friend Chris Stevens was to all of the Libyan people, and the thousands of everyday Libyans who marched in outrage carrying homemade signs thanking Chris for what he had done for them, thanking the United States for what all Americans had done for them.

All of that underscores why US must not walk away from the difficult work that Chris Stevens and his cohorts were so dedicated to, Secretary Kerry said.

In addition, Secretary Kerry announces US will soon be sending Deborah Jones to Libya as US new ambassador.

He says Ms. Jones is a very capable and experienced diplomat, and he has no doubt that she’s going to help to strengthen the partnership between us.

Finally, Secretary Kerry congratulates Libya, as all the American people do, for this remarkable transition that Libya is going through, and US govenrment is looking forward to working together with Prime Minister Zeidan in the days and months ahead.

Libya Forms New Government

Libya’s new prime minister Ali Zeidan presented a new coalition cabinet to form his transitional government to the national congress.

PM Ali Zeidan’s transitional government aspires to restore security and stability in North African country.

PM Zeidan’s transitional government is reportedly to replace an interim administration appointed in November 2011 after Gaddafi’s demise.

United States congratulates the Libyan people on the formation of a government

US says the Libyan people fought a difficult revolution in order to enjoy a democratic future with peace, security and prosperity.

The United States looks forward to working closely with the new government and is committed to supporting the Libyan people during this historic transition.

Ali Zeidan was appointed by the General National Congress and took office on 31st October when Congress approved his cabinet proposal.

Zeidan was formerly a Geneva-based human rights lawyer.

In February 2012, the citizens of Libya marked its first anniversary of the country’s uprising against Muammar Gaddafi with spontaneous celebrations nationwide.

Citizens in all ages went out on the streets of Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata and other towns to begin the celebrations by setting off firecrackers and chanting slogans.

The celebrations were led by residents of Benghazi, the city which first rose against Gaddafi and his 42-year-old regime.

The United States of America also joined with Libyans around the world in marking the one-year anniversary of their historic revolution.

The United States has pledged support as Libya tackles these challenges together with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and other international partners who stand ready to help.

Libya has been engulfed by fighting since a pro-democracy movement opposed to the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi emerged in February 2011 following similar protests in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries across North Africa and the Middle East.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting and hundreds of thousands of others have been internally displaced or forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

The United States has played a central role in marshalling the international response to the crisis in Libya. Together with its partners, they have saved thousands of lives and helped confront a ruthless, erratic dictator who was poised to slaughter his own people in order to hold on to power.

Muammar Gaddafi was killed at his home town of Sirte on October 2011 when he was overrun by fighters seeking to complete the eight-month uprising.

Gaddafi’s demise marked the end of a 42 year rule of a dysfunctional brutal regime that was ruled by fear, torture and executions. Its mismanagement of the economy brought ruin to Libya and impoverished the Libyan people despite the huge oil and gas wealth.

Unfortunately, Libya is a long way from being considered stable. Just last month, on the anniversary of 9/11, Christopher Stevens, The U.S. Ambassador and three other Americans were killed in Benghazi, in an organized attack on a poorly protected safe house acting as a consulate. Many questions remain, including why the consulate was so poorly protected, why the security contingent had recently been withdrawn by the Administration, and why, when the Administration saw the attack, and the Ambassador was still alive, assistance was withheld.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain English. Mina Fabulous is the pen name of Carmen Avalino, the NewsBlaze production editor. When she isn’t preparing stories for NewsBlaze writers, she writes stories, but to separate her editing and writing identities, she uses the name given by her family and friends.

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