The US Ambassador and Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, said that "if Dabaiba intends to run in the presidential elections, he must step down as prime minister," noting that elections could be held this year.

Norland added, in an interview with Al-Jazeera Mubasher on Thursday evening, that the initiative of by UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily “came after in-depth consultations with Libyan politicians and international parties,” noting that it “is based on mobilizing international efforts and gathering actors to hold elections.”

The US ambassador stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on a constitutional basis for holding elections, "the results of which are respected by the winner and the losers," stressing, "There is no external solution that can be imposed on the Libyans.

Adding: "The Libyan people alone have the right to determine the criteria for running in the presidential elections."

Norland also discussed the 'Wagner Group' during the interview, considering it a cause of "destabilization" and that "the Libyans want them to leave the country."

The initiative by UN envoy Bathily was presented to the Security Council on February 21, and focuses on developing a road map for elections by mid-June, in order to hold elections by the end of 2023.