Libya’s eastern government resigns amid protests

An interim government in eastern Libya has resigned hours after protesters set fire to its headquarters in Benghazi. Protests also erupted in the cities of Al-Marj, Sabha and Al-Bayda.

After days of protests against corruption and poor living conditions, the government in eastern Libya announced its resignation on Sunday.

Prime Minister Abdallah al-Thani submitted the resignation to the speaker of the eastern-based House of Representatives, in a country that has seen rival governments in the east and west since long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown in 2011.

Protesters set fire to the government’s headquarters in the eastern city of Benghazi, as well as Al-Marj, which is a stronghold of Khalifa Haftar and his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).

Protests also broke out in the southern city of Sabha and Al-Bayda, which is the former seat of government.