Al-Sarraj, citing obstacles to his government’s effectiveness and other obstacles, said: “I express my sincere desire to hand over the responsibility after the end of October to the next executive power.”
In a statement, the acting special envoy of Secretary-General Stephanie Williams praised the decision, saying it “comes at a critical juncture in Libya’s long-running crisis when it is clear that the situation is no longer sustainable.”
“Now it is up to the Libyan people to fully shoulder their responsibilities, to make historic decisions and to accept mutual concessions for the sake of their country,” Williams said.
In the oil-rich region of eastern Libya, the GNA has always been at odds with General Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and its administration. Fighters are waging a campaign to gain control of the oil-rich North African country from a war-backed GNA.
Despite efforts to secure a UN-led peace deal between the two sides – as well as a UN arms embargo on Libya – both the LNA and the Tripoli-based GNA have received military and financial support from international actors.
According to military intelligence released by the United States Africa Command, the LNA has received military support from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, with ground support from private Russian military contractors.
Meanwhile, GNA’s opposition to Haftar’s attempt to gain control of Tripoli has been backed by Turkey, which has assured GNA forces of both military hardware and on-ground support since signing a bilateral security agreement in November 2019.
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