The Tripoli-based UN- recognised Government of National Accord's (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj announced his resignation in a televised speech to the Libyan people from the capital, Tripoli late on Wednesday.

“I declare my sincere desire to hand over my duties to the next executive authority no later than the end of October,” he said.

“Hopefully, the dialogue committee will complete its work and choose a new presidential council and prime minister,” he added.

Sarraj is head of the Government of National Accord, based in Tripoli, while eastern Libya and much of the south is controlled by a rival administration.

He has headed the GNA since it was formed in 2015 as a result of a U.N.-backed political agreement aimed at uniting and stabilising Libya after the chaos that followed the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.