Libya: Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj withdraws his resignation

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Libya's Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj (archive): Avoid "political vacuum"

Photo: ANSA / CLAUDIO PERI / EPA-EFE / REX

The prime minister of the internationally recognized Libyan government, Fayez Sarraj, has withdrawn his previously announced resignation.

The move is being made to avoid a "political vacuum", said the Sarraj spokesman on Friday.

The Prime Minister had followed requests.

Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas asked him to postpone his resignation.

In a telephone conversation, Maas suggested that the head of government of the North African country remain in office for the duration of the upcoming political talks between the civil war parties on the future of Libya.

"In our view, this would be important to ensure institutional and executive continuity at the head of the Libyan government in these crucial weeks."

According to his spokesman, Sarraj hopes the dialogue will lead to overcoming the crisis in the country.

The rival camps in the civil war in Libya agreed on a ceasefire last week.

Sarraj and his adversary Khalifa Haftar now want to start political talks, which should begin in November in Tunisia.

Germany has a mediating role in the conflict.

Sarraj announced his resignation in mid-September after protests against the government and conflicts within its ranks.

At that time he declared that he wanted to give up the office by the end of October at the latest.

A civil war has been raging in the North African country since the overthrow of long-term ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011 with Western aid.

The internationally recognized Sarraj government, based in the capital Tripoli, is fighting for power with Haftar and a counter-parliament in Tobruk in eastern Libya.

There are also conflicts within the respective camps.

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mkl / dpa