Libya Prime Minister Plans to Resign by End of October
- Sarraj called for expedited talks for new government
- Premier had faced internal rivalries and demonstrations
Fayez al-Sarraj
Source: AFP via Getty Images
Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj announced Wednesday that he intends to step down by the end of October for a new government to unite the war-ravaged North African state, as the capital descends into political infighting and protests over corruption.
Sarraj, who heads the Tripoli-based government recognized by the United Nations, led the defense of the capital with Turkish military assistance against an offensive by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who’s backed by Egypt, Russian mercenaries and the United Arab Emirates. Both sides agreed to a truce in August that’s designed to help propel the rivals and their foreign backers toward an accord that will reunify a country split between rival administrations.