Libyan NTC No.2 tells Al-Jazeera he is quitting

TRIPOLI, Jan 22, 2012 (AFP)

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, the deputy head of Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council, told Al-Jazeera television on Sunday that he is resigning from his post.

“I do not want to influence the NTC and for national interests I chose to resign,” Ghoga told the satellite broadcaster.

He said in a telephone call with the channel that his decision comes after “recent events,” a reference to protests in the eastern city of Benghazi where protesters chanted slogans against him and opposed his presence in the council.

Several NTC members contacted by AFP said they were unaware of Ghoga’s resignation.