On Thursday, the Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams, commended the decision of the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, to announce his intention to hand over power to a new executive authority by the end of October.
In a statement, Williams said that Al-Sarraj’s announcement comes at a decisive turning point in Libya’s longstanding crisis when it is clear that the situation is no longer sustainable. She urged the Libyan parties to fully shoulder their responsibilities before the Libyan people, to take historic decisions, and to accept mutual concessions for the sake of their country.
“Building on the statements issued by Al-Sarraj and Speaker of Parliament Ageela Saleh on 21 August, as well as recent meetings between key Libyan parties in Montreux in Switzerland, Morocco and Egypt, we have an opportunity to restart the fully inclusive intra-Libyan political dialogue, which the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) intends to move forward with at the earliest opportunity,” she added.
The UNSMIL head also called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities, to respect Libyan sovereignty, to cease interference in Libya’s internal affairs, and to fully respect the UN arms embargo.
On Wednesday evening, Fayez Al-Sarraj announced his intention to step down by the end of October.
In a speech delivered on state television, Al-Sarraj announced that he would remain in power until a new prime minister is appointed to lead the formation of a new Presidential Council before November.
“I call on the Dialogue Committee to play its role in forming the executive authority to ensure the peaceful transfer of power,” he noted.