Mohammed Al-Mubasher, the chairman of the Libya’s Council of Elders and of the National Reconciliation Committee, has resigned over the continuing bloodshed in the country and the inability of his administration to bring combatants to the negotiating table. Mubasher says he also dispirited that unlike foreign mediation, efforts by himself and his colleagues appeared to carry little weight.
“I gave my resignation request to the administration, because warring Libyan are not listening to us. They are more willing to listen to outside calls,” he told the Libya Herald. “I condemn the fact that these warring factions are more responsive to foreign mediation attempts,” he said. “Talks in Libya should be between Libyans.”
The Elders’ Council has been involved in numerous efforts at mediating peace between rival groups in the country over the last three and half years.
“I condemn the continuing bloodshed in the country by those who ignore of our efforts to mediate,” he said.
His resignation is also believed to be motivated by exasperation at the authorities inability to influence Libyans who, he says, are increasingly regionally divided and polarised into two political camps.
“I insist the authorities accept my resignation letter,” he declared.
However, despite resigning, he promised on his social media site that although there was no evident determination by Libyans to stop the fighting, he would continue to try and do so.
“I will continue to work outside institutional frameworks for reconciliation,” he said.
By Jamal Adel
http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/09/21/head-of-libyan-council-of-elders-resigns/#ixzz3E8Z0Gy5m
