International community may intervene in Libya, US warns

Senior Libyan sources revealed to Al-Araby Al-Gadeed website that the visit by deputy US Secretary of State William Burns to Tripoli two days ago included a warning by Burns that “Libyan rulers should undertake their responsibilities in overcoming the current unrest within two months, or else the country would be taken over by the international community.”

The sources confirmed that Burns warned political forces and the government during a surprise visit that if the country’s political instability is not resolved within the next two months, US President Barack Obama, in coordination with the European Union, will dispatch a special representative to take charge of the political transition in the country.

Analysts interpreted this warning as a prelude to a step that may place Libya under “International mandate”.

Burns visited Libya on Wednesday and met with leaders of the “Revolutionary Room” along with the chairman of the Justice and Construction party, the political wing of the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, the deputy chairman of the National Congress Gomaa Ateika, and other politicians.

In his public statements, Burns said that terrorism and extremism represent a huge threat to Libya and the international community, and that the US is intent on assisting Libya to build its special security capabilities and strengthening joint counter-terrorism cooperation.

Burns’ visit came as the first high level visit since the assassination of the US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other US diplomats in Benghazi more than a year ago.