Caretaker Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni and his government have resigned to make way for fresh prime ministerial elections in the House of Representatives.
In a statement released today the outgoing government said its ministers had tendered their resignations in accordance with the county’s constitutional declarations. It said the decision had been made out of the desire to bring stability through a new inclusive government of national unity.
Thinni’s interim government reiterated that the House of Representatives was “the only legitimate authority in the country” and left with a parting shot to the General National Congress (GNC) which reinstated itself last week. Referring to the GNC’s appointment of its own Prime Minister, Omar Al-Hassi, it called the act a “rebellion against the legitimacy of parliament which is recognised by the international community”.
Thinni is one of five possible prime ministers put forward by the House of Representatives yesterday. Ashur Shwuail, a former Minister of the Interior, Omar Al-Habbasi, a lawyer and civil society activist, Ali Al-Tikbali, a member of parliament for Tripoli and Aref Al-Nayed, the Libyan ambassador to the Emirates, are also in the running.
Thinni was appointed by the former General National Congress (GNC) to replace Ali Zeidan in March and has served as Caretaker Prime Minister since then despite the short-lived election of Islamist-backed Prime Minister Ahmed Maetig.
The GNC and its rival government are yet to react to Thinni’s resignation. The Hassi government has, however, selected seven of its own ministers including former GNC president Nuri Abu Sahmain.
There was confusion this week about the possible resignation of six government ministers over, allegedly, concerns for their safety and disagreements within the cabinet. The government denied the claims saying if ministers were to resign it would be dealt with through the official channels.
Justice Minister Salah Al-Marghani did however tender his resignation four days ago saying he could not perform his duties in the face of the violence in the country. It is not clear if Thinni ever accepted the resignation.
Libya Herald staff
