UN's special envoy for Libya resigns over failure to bring peace to Libya

UN's special envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame has given in to pressure and resigned, saying his efforts to bring peace in the North African country was damaging his health.

Ghassan Salame tweeted that "my health no longer allows this rate of stress."

Talks between the UN-backed government based in the capital, Tripoli, and fighters loyal to renegade Gen Khalifa Haftar have floundered.

Libya has been torn by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted longtime strongman, Muammar Gaddafi.

Last week, Salame brought representatives of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Haftar-led Libyan National Army (LNA), the two warring sides, to Geneva for peace talks, but the representatives suspended their involvement.

Mr Salame tweeted on Monday that he had "sought for two and a half years to unite Libyans, prevent foreign intervention, and preserve the unity of the country".

"My health no longer allows this rate of stress, and therefore I have asked the [UN] secretary-general to relieve me of my duties," he added.

“My health no longer allows this rate of stress”, @UN envoy for Libya + @UNSMILibya chief Ghassan Salamé tweeted on Monday, handing his resignation to @UN chief @antonioguterres.https://t.co/64qZSJlPE8

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 2, 2020