Libya shows ‘commitment to democracy’: US

Libya has taken an ‘important step forward’ with this month’s election results and the vote process showed the Libyan people’s ‘commitment to democracy’, the White House said. White House spokesman Jay Carney on Wednesday offered Washington’s congratulations to ‘all the parties and candidates who have won seats’ in the General National Congress in the 7 July poll, the first since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.

Libya’s liberal coalition beat Islamist parties, according to results unveiled by the country’s electoral commission on Tuesday – but it remained unclear who would dominate the next congress. The National Forces Alliance, led by wartime prime minister Mahmud Jibril, gained 39 of 80 seats open to parties in the congress, while the Justice and Construction Party, which was launched by Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood, took 17. 

The remainder of party seats went to a constellation of smaller parties, according to the electoral commission’s preliminary figures. The majority of seats – 20 of 200 – were reserved for individual candidates.

‘As President (Barack) Obama noted on election day, Libya’s historic election underscores that the future of Libya is in the hands of the Libyan people,’ Carney said.

‘The orderly voting process noted by international observers and the significant turnout reflects the Libyan people’s commitment to democracy and civic participation.’  

The spokesman said the United States was looking forward to ‘working closely with Libya’s newly elected leaders and the members’ of the new congress, adding they could count on Washington’s ‘continued friendship and support.’