World leaders bolster troubled Libya ahead of key election

By SAM MAGDY and SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Libyan leaders have reaffirmed in Paris their commitment to ensure the success of the country’s political process through long-awaited elections next month. Regional and world powers hope the vote will pull oil-rich Libya out of its decade-old chaos. France hosted an international conference on Libya on Friday in the presence of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and other international and regional high-level officials. Participants expressed support for “holding of free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections” on Dec. 24. They said they “reject all foreign interferences in Libyan affairs” and called for the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces.