Libyan spokesman denies PM's resignation

The Libyan government on Wednesday denied that Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni would resign, according to local media.

The government spokesman, Hatem Oraibi, said that there were no official resignation, and that Thinni had to hand his resignation to the House of Representatives and it can be accepted as well as rejected.

Oraibi said Thinni's remarks were simply an offer to resign.

In the early hours on Wednesday, Thinni told a private TV station based in Jordan that he would quit his position, after his cabinet was criticized as being ineffective.

Local media Libya Herald reported that Thinni's announcement was unexpected and seemingly an "emotional response" when facing so many tough questions.

During the TV interview, viewers questioned al-Thinni on his inefficiency on tackling Libya's ongoing crisis, such as armed clashes, fuel and electricity shortages, etc.

Thinni has been in office since March 2014. His government, now exiled to the eastern town of Tobruk, is internationally recognized, but was driven away from Tripoli a year ago after the capital was seized by armed Islamist groups that set up a rival administration.

The oil-rich country has suffered a frayed political process since the downfall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi and is now juggling between two rival parliaments and governments.

According to Libya's transitional plan, the parliament elected in June, the House of Representatives, has replaced the former interim General National Congress (GNC). However, armed Islamist alliance Libya Dawn, having achieved a series of military successes since July in western Libya, supports the GNC in assuming power and forming its own government against the new one.

After several rounds of UN-brokered dialogues between opposing parties since September, clashes still remain despite a truce agreed on by factions.

The fresh round of talks is underway in Geneva, but it's unclear whether Thinni's announcement is related to the talks or the potential peace process.
source: XINHUA