CHICAGO: The US envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, said on Thursday that the formation of a unified government in flood-hit Libya would help accelerate relief activities in the aftermath of floods that killed about 15,000 people in the African county last month.
The country has been engulfed by political chaos and divisions since the 2011 protests that led to the overthrow and killing of former ruler Muammar Qaddafi, who had ruled Libya for about 42 years.
Relief Efforts to Libya for Flood Recovery to Accelerate If Nation Moves Toward Unity: US Ambassador
Libya is split between two rival administration that are supported by armed militias. In the west of the African country, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah leads the global recognized Government of National Unity. In the east, Prime Minister Ossama Hamad oversees the Government of National Stability, backed by powerful man Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army.
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The US envoy said that there are concerns regarding funding for relief efforts and aid actually reaching those most in need and moves to bring the divided nation back together would assist to ease them.
The US diplomat hoped to see more development in the coming days on a pathway to elections and solid efforts to reconstruct and help the people of Derna and eastern Libya.
