US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker has said that parts of Cairo's proposal on Libya are helpful but that the UN mediation can make better progress.
"We think there are parts of the initiative that are helpful. ... That said, we think that the UN-led process and the Berlin process are really ... the most productive frameworks ... to make progress on a ceasefire," Schenker said.
On Saturday, Egypt called for a ceasefire starting on Monday, as part of an initiative that also proposed an elected leadership council. It also proposed "foreign mercenaries" to leave and militias be disbanded and disarmed.
"We continue to call for de-escalation, a ceasefire, a return to political negotiation," Schenker said.
"Now is a time for Libyans on all sides to act so neither Russia, nor any other country, can interfere in Libya."
The UN mission to Libya on Thursday voiced "horror" at reports of at least eight mass graves.
Schenker called the accounts of mass grounds "truly disturbing" and also warned that an advance of the Government of National Accord (GNA) on Sirte "could have serious humanitarian consequences."
Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed the resumption of talks led by the UN between the GNA and the Libyan National Army (LNA), and urged speedy negotiations to achieve a ceasefire.
Their agreement “to re-enter UN security talks was a good first step, very positive,” Pompeo said in a news conference.
“Quick and good-faith negotiations are now required to implement a ceasefire and relaunch the UN-led intra-Libyan political talks,” he added.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has suggested that former Ghana foreign minister and current UN envoy to the African Union, Hanna Tetteh, head the UN Libya mission.
Reuters quoted diplomats as saying that before agreeing to Tetteh's appointment, Washington wants Guterres to name a special envoy to focus on mediating peace in Libya and has proposed former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
