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By Libya Herald reporters.
Tunis, 18 January 2016:
Ali Al-Gatrani, one of Faiez Serraj’s deputy prime ministers, suspended his membership of the Presidency . . .[restrict]Council this morning, informed sources have told the Libya Herald. It is not yet clear why he has walked.
Gatrani was reported to have threatened to quit two weeks ago along with fellow deputy premier from the east, Fathi Majbri. According to an official at the talks in the Residence Hotel in Tunis, the then “resignations” were a threat and “negotiating tactics”. It has not yet been possible to discover if Majbri has also resigned.
Gatrani’s walkout has almost certainly deepened Serraj’s problems as he struggles to meet tonight’s midnight deadline, reset 48 hours after the original Saturday 16 January date agreed in the Skirhat Accord last December.
There are reports that the number of ministries is being cut but no definite figures are available. As of this morning it was understood there were to be 11 ministries. Planning, finance, interior, local government and foreign affairs would be held by people from the west, defence, economy and industry, labour and social affairs by appointees from the east and education, health and justice run by southerners.
The team around Serraj in Tunis is declining to answer press enquiries. [/restrict]
