The deputy head of Libyan ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) Abdel Hafiz Ghoga announced his resignation after the national wave of mass protests against the new government, the Al Jazeera TV channel said on Sunday.
“My resignation is for the benefit of the nation and is required at this stage,” Ghoga told Al Jazeera.
“Unfortunately, the consensus has not continued to maintain the highest national interests. The atmosphere of deprivation and hatred has prevailed,” he said.
Over 3,000 Libyans in Benghazi rallied on Saturday to demand that Sharia law be the main source of the country’s legislation.
Libya saw almost ten months of fierce fighting before the National Transitional Council (NTC) established control over the country's territory.
In late October the NTC head, Mustafa Abdel Jalil said that the Islamic Sharia law will be the basis for the laws in the newly liberated Libya and any existing laws that contradict it will be abolished.
A crowd demanding the government’s resignation stormed the NTC’s local headquarters in Benghazi on late Saturday.
“I do not want this atmosphere to continue and negatively affect the National Transitional Council and its performance,” Ghoga added.
