Al-Sarraj Retracts from Resignation Promise

The Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Al-Sarraj, announced on Friday that he retracted from his resignation promise and will continue to assume his post.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Al-Sarraj said that he is keen on a smooth transition to the executive authority;" in order to ensure stability and to avoid any political vacuum."

The announcement came after EU countries and the Presidential Council of Libya demanded the GNA chairman "to avoid falling into the crisis of the political vacuum."

He has announced last month that he will resign by the end of October.

"Mr. Al-Sarraj extends his thanks and appreciation to the House of Representatives in Tripoli, the Supreme Council of State, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and the leaders of friendly countries," the statement said.

"I refused to resign in response to insistent demands in order to avoid a political vacuum," he said, as quoted by Al-Hadath broadcaster.

Earlier, the chairman of the Libyan Supreme State Council, Khalid Mishri, asked Al-Sarraj to postpone his resignation until electing a new Presidential Council. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also asked him to remain in power.