UN envoy to Libya resigns

Ghassan Salame, the UN envoy for Libya, said on Monday he was stepping down due to health reasons, amid an escalation in fighting in the country.
“I tried to unite Libyans and restrain foreign interference… but for health reasons I can no longer continue with this level of stress and therefore I have asked the secretary-general to relieve me of my duties”, Salame tweeted.
Salame, a former Lebanese culture minister, took office in 2017. He was involved in the UN’s effort to bring an end to Libya’s war since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, which resulted in the country’s division between two rival governments – the UN-backed government, the GNA, and the rival militia of warlord Khalifa Hafrar, the LNA.
Salame was mediating the peace talks between both factions on economic, political and military matters. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the organization’s chief, Antonio Guterres, was aware of the resignation:
“The secretary general has always had full confidence in Mr Salame’s work and the great efforts he has made to bring peace to Libya, and will be discussing with Mr Salame the way to ensure smooth transition so as not to lose any momentum on the gains that have been made”, Dujarric said.