By M. Bilal Kenasari
WASHINGTON
The United States does not recognize the Government of National Salvation, or GNS, in Libya, the State Department said Monday.
“The U.S. is not engaged with any person purporting to act on behalf of Omar al-Hassi or the GNS, contrary to some reports,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
The GNS is alternatevily known as the General National Congress.
Al Hassi said Saturday that there is a close link and contacts between the GNS and the US that would allow a bridge of cooperation between the two countries.
Currently there are two assemblies in Libya that are vying for legislative authority – newly-elected House of Representatives, which convenes in the eastern city of Tobruk; and the General National Congress that continues to convene in Tripoli though its mandate expired last summer.
The two parliaments support two different governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.
Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. Rival militias have frequently clashed in Libya's main cities, including capital Tripoli and Benghazi.
www.aa.com.tr/en
