Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


               Libya's Congress Chief Steps Down Over Former Role

   by Reuters

   The head of Libya's national assembly said he was stepping down on
   Tuesday following the passing of a law banning anyone who held a senior
   post in Muammar Gadhafi's regime from government, regardless of their
   part in toppling the dictator.

   In a televised speech to the General National Congress, the country's
   legislature, Mohammed Magarief announced his resignation - which had
   been expected - after the passing of the "political isolation" law,
   which critics and diplomats fear could strip government of experienced
   leaders, further complicating the transition to an orderly democracy.

   "The people's representatives have expressed their word - the political
   isolation law - and it must be respected," he said. "And I will be the
   first ... I place my resignation in your hands."

   The law was adopted on May 5 at the demand of armed factions who helped
   end Gadhafi's 42-year rule in 2011. Analysts fear the decision to hold
   the vote under duress could embolden armed groups to use force again to
   assert their will over congress.

   The heavily armed groups had besieged the foreign and justice
   ministries for days before the passing of the law, which prohibits
   former officials from holding any high position.

   An economist who served as ambassador to India under Gadhafi, Magarief
   lived in exile from the 1980s and became a leading figure in Libya's
   oldest opposition movement, the National Front for the Salvation of
   Libya.

   Born in 1940 in eastern Libya, where the 2011 uprising broke out,
   Magarief was elected head of the General National Congress after
   Libya's first free elections for decades last July.

   Magarief received a standing ovation from congress members after he
   ended his speech, which touched on his own exile and opposition to
   Gadhafi and which paid tribute to the former rebel fighters who ousted
   the dictator.

   "The people, the people are the real source of this legitimacy,"
   Magarief said. Congress officials were expected to announce an election
   for a successor.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/mohammed-magarief-resigns-libya-natio
   nal-assembly-over-gadhafi-era-post/1670053.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/mohammed-magarief-resigns-libya-national-assembly-over-gadhafi-era-post/1670053.html