Fayez al-Sarraj

Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj (Arabic: فائز السراج or فايز السراج; born 20 February 1960) is a Libyan politician who served as the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Head of Government[2] of the Government of National Accord from 2016 to 2021, which was formed on 17 December 2015 under the Libyan Political Agreement. He has been a member of the Parliament of Tripoli.[3]

His Excellency
Fayez al-Sarraj
فايز السراج
Al-Sarraj in 2017
Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya
In office
30 March 2016 – 15 March 2021
Vice PresidentAhmed Maiteeq
Preceded byNouri Abusahmain (President of the General National Congress)
Succeeded byMohamed al-Menfi
Head of Government of Libya
In office
5 April 2016[1] – 15 March 2021
DeputyAhmed Maiteeq
Preceded byAbdullah al-Thani
Khalifa al-Ghawil (As Prime Ministers)
Succeeded byAbdul Hamid Al-Dabaib (As Prime Minister)
Minister of Defense
In office
6 September 2018 – 29 August 2020
PresidentHimself
Preceded byAl-Mahdi Al-Barghathi
Succeeded bySalah Eddine al-Namrouch
Minister of Housing and Utilities
In office
25 May 2014 – 9 June 2014
PresidentNouri Abusahmain
Prime MinisterAhmed Maiteeq
Preceded byAli Al-Sharif
Succeeded byZuhair Mahmoud
Personal details
Born
Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj

(1960-02-20) 20 February 1960
Tripoli, Kingdom of Libya
CitizenshipLibya (1960–present)
Vanuatu (2020–present)
Political partyIndependent
Spouses
  • Fatima Al-Tarhuni
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1985; div. 1995)​
  • Samera Trabelsi
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1998; div. 2003)​
  • Nadia Refaat
    ​
    (m. 2005)​
Signature
*Sarrraj's premiership was disputed by Abdullah al-Thani and Khalifa al-Ghawil.

Biography

Fayez Mustafa was born on 20 February 1960 in Tripoli.[4] He comes from a wealthy family of Kouloughli descent which owned shops and vast amount of land.[5][6] Al-Sarraj himself is said to be of Turkish origin.[7] His father, Mostafa al-Sarraj was a minister during the Libyan Monarchy.[6][8] Fayez al-Sarraj trained as an architect and during the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi era he was employed at the Housing Ministry.[9] In 2014, he served as the Minister of Housing and Utilities in the Maiteeq Cabinet of the GNC.[10] His opponents criticized his political appointment as a foreign imposition.[11] An article that appeared in 2016 in The Guardian newspaper quoted Guma el-Gamaty, a member of Libya Dialogue, the UN-chaired body that created the new government, saying that al-Sarraj was "expected to ask for help to combat ISIS and train Libyan units."[12]

Following Libya's 2014 elections, the government became split between the New General National Congress in Tripoli and the internationally recognized legislature of the House of Representatives in Tobruk.[3]

Presidency

In early October 2014 the United Nations envoy to Libya, Bernardino León, proposed a National Unity Government for Libya, to be led by the Presidential Council of Fayez al-Sarraj, as prime minister, three deputies from the country's eastern, western, and southern regions, and two ministers.[13] However, this national unity government was rejected by the internationally recognized legislature in Tobruk and the rival government in Tripoli.[14] Fayez al-Sarraj, and six members of the Presidential Council and proposed cabinet arrived in Tripoli on 30 March 2016.[15] The following day, it was reported that the GNA had taken control of the prime ministerial offices and that the GNC appointed prime minister Khalifa al-Ghawil had fled to Misrata.[16] On 14 October 2014, forces loyal to GNC took over the building of the High Council of State and announced the comeback of Ghawil cabinet[17][18] Then, fighting occurred between Sarraj loyalists and Ghawil forces.[19][20]

al-Sarraj was accused of obtaining ni-Vanuatu citizenship for himself and his family in January 2020 by The Guardian. In April 2023, The Guardian retracted the claim, and apologized for the mistake. [21][22][23]

On 16 September 2020, al-Sarraj stated that he will be stepping down from his position by the end of October 2020, following a month of protests in Tripoli.[24][25] On 31 October 2020, al-Sarraj rescinded his decision to resign.[26] Following the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, he transferred his powers on 15 March 2021.

Government of National Accord
Sarraj with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, 16 May 2016

Sarraj has been Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord since its installment in December 2015 as part of a United Nations-led political agreement.

Prior to his initial arrival in Tripoli in March 2016, Sarraj survived two separate assassination attempts.[27]

Over the past two years, the GNA has struggled to gain a foothold as a legitimate institution of authority inside the country, and Libya has remained divided.[28] The government's initial proposed group of ministers was rejected by the House of Representatives (HoR), leading Sarraj to form a government that received a no confidence vote from the HoR.[29] Infighting among rival militias has only intensified, and Libyan citizens have faced economic hardships, including inflation, corruption, and smuggling, that are "melting away the country's cash reserves".[30][31]

The United Nations representatives who initially formed the unity government have since expressed concern over its ability to make progress. In December 2016, the Security Council noted the "limited authority" of the GNA and stated that "the Libyan Political Agreement did not fulfill the expectations. The implementation has stalled."[32]

Months following this statement, an April 2017 U.N. Security Council meeting summary cautioned that "Libya could relapse into conflict" and said the government has struggled to "deliver basic services while endeavoring to fight terrorism, illegal migration and oil smuggling."[33]

In an attempt to make the government more effective, reports have surfaced throughout 2017 of a consensus to restructure the GNA and overall Libyan Political Agreement.[34][35]

In July 2018, Libya rejected European Union's plan aimed at stopping migration from Libya.[36]

On 10 April 2019, United Nations chief António Guterres said, at the UN headquarters, that he still hopes to avoid a "bloody battle for Tripoli". Two days before that, troops loyal to Khalifa Haftar began moving toward the capital.[37]

References
  1. "Countries L". Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  2. Stephen, Chris (31 March 2016). "Chief of Libya's new UN-backed government arrives in Tripoli". TheGuardian.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  3. "Libya national unity government announced by UN after months of talks". The Guardian. 8 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  4. Gillon, Jihâd (4 December 2018). "Libye: dix choses à savoir sur Fayez al-Sarraj – Jeune Afrique". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  5. Pouvreau, Ana (13 February 2020), Les ressorts de l'engagement de la Turquie en Libye, retrieved 8 June 2020
  6. "Pacifier la Libye : le pari fou du Premier ministre Fayez al-Sarraj". France 24 (in French). 8 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  7. "Outrage, Rift and Resignations Over Erdogan's Libya Plan". InsideOver. 1 January 2020.
  8. "Italy ponders military intervention in Libya". The Economist. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  9. Mezran, Karim (9 October 2015). "The Libyan Agreement: The First Step in a Long Journey". Atlantic Council. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016.
  10. "GNC-approved Maetig cabinet revealed". Libya Herald. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014.
  11. "PROFILE Fayez Sarraj: A Libyan leader with a tough job". Europe Online Magazine. Europe Online Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016.
  12. Stephen, Chris. "Chief of Libya's new UN-backed government arrives in Tripoli". Chief of Libya's new UN-backed government arrives in Tripoli. The Guardian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  13. "UN proposes unity government to end Libya conflict". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  14. Benghazi, Associated Press in. "Libyan officials reject UN-proposed unity deal with rival government". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  15. "Support grows for Libya's new unity government". AFP. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  16. "Rebel Tripoli administration vanishes |". Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  17. "GNC retakes parliament compound, High Council of State condemns | The Libya Observer". Libyaobserver.ly. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  18. "Rival group seizes Libya's UN-backed government offices". TRT World. 15 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  19. "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital Tripoli – Region – World – Ahram Online". English.ahram.org.eg. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  20. Musa, Rami. "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  21. "Who's buying Vanuatu's passports? Crypto moguls, wanted men and even a prime minister". the Guardian. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  22. "L'ancien Premier ministre Fayez al-Sarraj abandonne sa nationalité libyenne". Maghreb Intelligence (in French). 17 July 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  23. "Corrections and clarifications Mr Faiez Sarraj – apology". The Guardian. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  24. "Libya's Tripoli-based PM Al-Sarraj to stand down". Arab News. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  25. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Libya's UN-backed PM al-Sarraj says he plans to quit | DW | 16.09.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  26. "Libyan PM al-Serraj takes back resignation".
  27. Cairo, Bel Trew (21 February 2017). "Libyan prime minister survives assassination attempt". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  28. "Libyan PM Fayez al-Sarraj: Can Former Architect Rebuild a Shattered Country?". Fanack.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  29. "Libya's UN-backed government gets 'no confidence' vote". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  30. Muntasser, Emadeddin Zahri (6 September 2016). "The Coming Fall of Libya's GNA". Foreign Affairs. ISSN 0015-7120. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  31. Pusztai, Wolfgang. "The Failed Serraj Experiment of Libya". Atlantic Council. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  32. "UN News – Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' – UN envoy tells Security Council". UN News Service Section. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  33. "Libya Could Relapse into Conflict, Secretary-General's Special Representative Warns, Citing Volatile Security, Human Rights Situation | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". United Nations. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  34. "Support growing for amending Libya government leadership: U.N. official". Reuters. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  35. "Will Libya's Government of National Accord fall?". Libyan Express – Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya. 13 September 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  36. "Libya rejects EU plans for migrant centers on its territory". Reuters. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  37. "'Still time' to stop a 'bloody battle' for Libya's capital, insists Guterres". Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
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