The Minister of State for Displaced Affairs and Human Rights, and Minister of Education in charge at the Government of National Unity (GNU), Ahmed Boukhzam announced his resignation. He said he was ready to hand over his duties to the new Libyan government, headed by Fathi Bashagha.
In a video statement, Boukhzam affirmed his respect for the Libyan Parliament’s selection of the new government, and the decision to grant it confidence.
This comes as the GNU Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba refuses to cede power.
Boukhzam affirmed his commitment to the pledge and oath he took before the Libyan Parliament to abide by the Constitutional Declaration, and preserve the territorial integrity of Libya.
He vowed to the Libyan people that he would not participate in the return of political divisions.
Notably, two other GNU ministers announced their resignation. The Minister of Civil Service, Abdel-Fatah Al-Khouja said that he submitted his resignation on Wednesday. As did the Minister of State for Immigration Affairs, Ajedid Maatog. He reiterated his readiness to hand over his office to his successor.
On 10 February, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh announced the unanimous appointment of Bashagha as the new Prime Minister. But Dbaiba warned that the appointment of a new interim government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government.
Libya has been mired in a political crisis since the fall of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. Observers fear that Libya will return to having two opposing governments, threatening the nation’s vital oil sector.