US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland will take on the additional role as US special envoy, a position aimed at keeping the war-torn country's political process on track, the State Department announced on Monday. 

“In his role as US special envoy, Ambassador Norland will lead US diplomatic efforts to promote international support for a Libyan-led, inclusive and negotiated political solution to the conflict, facilitated through the UN,” the department said. 

The North African country descended into chaos amid a 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country since 2014 has been mired in a civil war pitting the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) against retired Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). 

After years of fighting between rival administrations in the east and west, an interim national government that was selected as part of a United Nations-facilitated process took over in March. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and a three-member presidency council are tasked with preparing the country for general elections in December 2021.