The Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Al-Sarraj, plans to announce his resignation soon according to Bloomberg. Yet, according to officials familiar with his thought, he is to remain in a caretaker capacity throughout talks for a new government in Geneva next month.
With Turkey’s help, Al-Sarraj managed to stop in June a year-long offensive on Tripoli led by Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar. However, Tripoli has since experienced increasing political infighting and a protest movement against corruption and poor services, which has put a lot of pressure on Sarraj.
Al-Sarraj is to ease some of this pressure by announcing his resignation while setting the stage for his departure after the Geneva talks to discuss confidential conversations, according to two officials on condition of anonymity. The opposing sides would be asked to settle on a new Presidential Council system unifying the dual administrations in the country and scheduling elections.
Haftar’s regional supporters, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, are expected to support the change, while fostering talks to unite the conflict-stricken North African nation that sits atop the continent’s largest oil reserves.
According to Arab and Western diplomats, Haftar himself has gradually given way politically to Parliament Speaker Ageela Saleh, who has proposed a political initiative to unify the country’s institutions and who is now leading political talks for the eastern region.
Sarraj and his assistants have discussed with Libyan and international partners about his plans, four officials said. Two officials said that the Prime Minister is expected to make his announcement by the weekend. Al-Sarraj’s spokesperson refused to comment on such matter.