LONDON (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson are hosting a meeting in London in which they hope to break Libya’s political stalemate and resolve its acute cash shortage.
Monday’s session comes after the U.N.-backed Libyan government’s failure to win legitimacy — or to function at all — amid deep political fragmentation.
Kerry and Johnson are joined by designated Prime Minister Fayez Serraj and other diplomats. The ministerial meeting is designed to deal with economic and security issues facing the government.
The U.N.-backed government has failed to win endorsement of the eastern-based, internationally recognized parliament, which is a prerequisite to assume power. At the same time, Serraj is facing a challenge from a self-declared prime minister in Tripoli who is trying to establish control in the chaotic North African country. There have been sporadic reports of violence in the capital and other parts of the country.
Kerry also plans to join London Mayor Sadiq Khan at a session to discuss counter-terrorism efforts with London youths.
Libyans are facing a severe cash crisis after years of declining revenues from oil exports. Terminals have been shut down due to the ongoing violence and the militia’s takeover of the terminals.
The Libyan economy depends entirely on oil revenues.
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