US President Extends national Emergency with respect to Libya for one year as of Feb. 25, 2022.

Washington, 23 February 2022(Lana) US President Joe Biden has decided to extend the national emergency with regard to Libya for one more year starting from Feb. 25, 2022, according to a statement issued by the White House.

The White House said President Biden addressed a letter to the heads of House of Representatives and the Senate, in which he said:

‘Libyans confront ongoing instability originating from actions Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates took against the people of Libya in 2011. Civil conflict in Libya will continue until Libyans resolve their political divisions and foreign military intervention ends. Because many of these divisions relate to access to resources, a serious risk remains that, if not protected, Libyan state assets will be misappropriated by parties determined to undermine the ongoing United Nations peace process, including former members of the Qadhafi government, members of the Qadhafi family, or Qadhafi’s close associates. The diversion of these resources could prolong and deepen the current instability in Libya, which benefits ISIS and other terrorist groups that pose a serious threat to the national security of the United States and the security of regional partners.

The US President added: ‘ We run the risk of military escalation if sanctions do not remain in effect, particularly since those who reject dialogue and obstruct and undermine Libya’s democratic transition remain interested in exploiting the wealth of the Libyan people to advance their narrow self-interest and perpetuate conflict in the country.

‘The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and we need to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuse by persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation, including Qadhafi’s family and associates, he said.

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566 with respect to Libya.’

=Lana=