Press Release: Libyan American Alliance Welcomes Passage of House Bill “Libya Stabilization Act” Urges U.S. Senate to do the same

(Washington, DC, 11/20/2020) – The Libyan American Alliance (LAA) welcomed today the passage of House bill H.R. 4644, “the Libya Stabilization Act” that requires the US administration to clarify its strategy, report on foreign interventions, and impose sanctions on those who violate the arms embargo or seek to undermine the stability and security of Libya.

LAA urges the Senate to pass the same version of H.R.4644 before the holiday recess so the President can sign it into law.

The “Libya Stabilization Act” was introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and passed with strong bipartisan support.

 

According to the Congressional Research Service, H.R. 4644 asks the sitting president to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on anyone that:

1)    Knowingly supports or engages in a significant transaction with a foreign person knowingly operating in Libya on behalf of Russia in a military capacity

2)    Engages in significant actions threatening peace or stability in Libya

3)    Misappropriates Libyan state assets or natural resources

4)    Knowingly responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Libya.

In addition, the bill provides the U.S. Agency for International Development the resources necessary to provide “humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities in Libya, including urgently needed health assistance, food, and shelter.”

Moreover, Congress directs the Department of State to “work to strengthen Libya’s democratic governance, including by providing assistance to:

1)    Unify Libya’s financial and governing institutions

2)    Ensure transparent and credible future elections in Libya”

Similar bill (S. 2934) was introduced in the Senate by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Dr. Esam Omeish, President of LAA, said “we applaud the US. House of representatives that passed this important piece of legislation and we urge Chairman Risch to take on the same bill in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and send it the rest of the Senate to be considered for a vote. We have no doubt that the bill has enough bipartisan support and that if passed it will provide the administration with the tools necessary to support the fragile peace process underway now in Libya.”

Mosadak Hobrara, Executive Director of LAA added “ We need a bill that allows the US President to take all legitimate and legal actions as described in Executive Order 13566, against those who are committing war crimes and threaten the peace, security, and stability of Libya including Khalifa Haftar and his associates.”

Contact:   Dr.Esam Omeish,

Phone: (703) 582-4482,

Email: President@LibyanAmericanAlliance.org

Contact: Mongi Dhaouadi,

Phone: (860) 514-8038,

Email: Mdhaouadi@LibyanAmericanAlliance.org