U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday discussed the June 23 Second Berlin Conference on Libya with Libyan interim Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush.
“The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the upcoming June 23 Second Berlin Conference on Libya and underscored the importance of ensuring national elections are held in December 2021,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. “Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Mangoush emphasized the need for full implementation of the October 23, 2020 ceasefire agreement, including the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.”
Price added that Secretary Blinken also stressed the United States’ commitment to increasing diplomatic engagement to promote international efforts supporting progress in Libya.
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.