Minutes after al-Sarraj resignation, Turkey announces forthcoming Russian–Turkish ceasefire agreement in Libya

TRIPOLI / ANKARA — Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) announced his resignation in a televised speech on Wednesday. “I have extended my hand to all Libyans, without excluding anyone, in order to stop bloodshed and shape the future of Libya,” al-Sarraj said in his address.

“Wars and systematic campaigns have been waged as treachery, contempt, and expiation,” he continued. “For that reason, I have been greatly harmed and have endured it only for the interest of the Libyan people. Today we are witnessing U.N.-led meetings and consultations between Libyans and we declare our welcome to the promising initial recommendations that have been announced.”

He concluded his speech by saying, “I announce to everyone my desire to hand over my duties to the next executive committee, no later than the end of next October, with the hope that a new presidential council will be chosen soon.”

Minutes after Al-Sarraj’s resignation, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced in an interview with CNN Turk that Turkey would soon reach an agreement with Russia regarding a ceasefire and political process in Libya, in addition to the continuation of discussion on the Syrian situation.

“Yesterday, consultations on Libya took place in Ankara,” said Çavuşoğlu. “Today, we are discussing the situation in Syria and we have come close to an agreement regarding a ceasefire in Libya.”