Libyan ambassador steps down from post in Malta

Libyan Ambassador to Malta Saadun Suayeh has resigned from his post as ambassador  "due to pressing health and family reasons".

In a statement, the embassy's spokesman said Suayeh will be terminating office as ambassador by the end of this month. Suayeh has already submitted his resignation to the Libyan Foreign Minister.

"The Libyan Foreign Minister has kindly accepted to relieve him from his ambassadorial duties due to pressing health and family reasons," the spokesman said.

Suayeh will continue to serve as a senior advisor in the Libyan Foreign Ministry.

Suayeh's resignation comes three weeks after Italian media reported that he was to relinquish his post, after reportedly being ordered by the interim government in Tripoli that he was to be changed. But in comments to MaltaToday, Suayeh had categorically denied the claims.

Through the press release, Suayeh reiterated his gratitude towards the Maltese government and the Maltese for their "valuable support" and "sympathy" throughout the Libyan crisis. 

"The relations between the two countries will become even much stronger as Libya moves steadily towards democracy and rule of law," the ambassador said.

The spokesman added that Suayeh "will always have strong personal attachments to Malta and will always be proud of the wonderful friends and colleagues behind in this lovely island".

In an interview with MaltaToday last August, shortly before the liberation of Tripoli by NTC forces, ambassador Suayeh had revealed his covert role in assisting the NTC.

Suayeh had also met with senior NTC leaders during a secret meeting held at the then French ambassador's residence in Zebbug.

During that meeting, the NTC leaders from Misurata were assisted to travel to Paris and meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who provided the NTC with all the necessary support for the final offensive on Tripoli that ousted Col. Gaddafi from his Bab Aziziya compound.