Libya’s PM accepts deputy’s resignation

Prime Minister of the Libyan interim government Ali Zeidan accepted today the resignation of his deputy Dr. Awad al-Barasi, announced last night in Benghazi against the ‘government’s failure’ in rebuilding the army and police, integrating rebels and collecting weapons. The Libyan news agency quoted Zeidan as saying that he was not informed of al-Barasi’s resignation before being announced in the media at a press conference, but nevertheless he accepted the resignation. Al-Barasi has announced his resignation in a statement read at a news conference in Benghazi in which he said he worked hard since the formation of the interim government in improving living conditions for Libyan people and building and activating the state institutions, including army, police and intelligence services, adding that he has faced difficulties and challenges represented in the lack of powers given to the deputy prime ministers of the interim government which hindered all the efforts that have been made to address the entitlements and responsibilities of the government towards the worsening security situation in Benghazi in particular and Libya in general.