Libya PM announces intent to resign

Libya's internationally recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni said in a television interview that he would resign, after the station confronted him with questions from angry citizens criticizing his Cabinet as ineffective.

"I officially resign, and I will submit my resignation to the House of Representatives on Sunday," he told Libya's Channel, a private television station, in an interview broadcast late on Tuesday.

Thinni has been based in a remote eastern city since his government fled Tripoli a year ago after the capital was seized by an armed group that set up a rival administration, part of chaos gripping the oil-producing nation.

His Cabinet, working out of hotels, has struggled to make an impact in the remote eastern city of Bayda, while citizens complained about chaos, shortages of fuel and hospital drugs as well as a worsening security situation.

Ministries and key state buildings in Tripoli are under control of the rival administration, which has not been recognized by world powers.

During the interview, Thinni became angry when the host presented him with questions he said he collected from viewers who criticized Thinni for a lack of security and aid for people displaced by Libya's chaos.

When the presenter asked Thinni what he would do if there were protests, he said, "People do not need to protest against me because I officially resign from my position."

Reuters