Fayez al-Sarraj

Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj (Arabic: فائز السراج or فايز السراج; born 1960)^[2] is a Libyan politician who was the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of Libya|prime minister^[3] of the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya that was formed as a result of the Libyan Political Agreement signed on 17 December 2015. He has been a member of the Parliament of Tripoli.^[4] He retired on 15 March 2021.

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 President	Ahmed Maiteeq
Preceded by	Aguila Saleh Issa (President of the House of Representatives) Nouri Abusahmain (President of the General National Congress)
Succeeded by	Mohamed al-Menfi
Prime Minister of Libya Interim
In office 5 April 2016*[1] – 15 March 2021
Deputy	Ahmed Maiteeq
Preceded by	Abdullah al-Thani Khalifa al-Ghawil
Succeeded by	Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaib
Minister of Defense
In office 6 September 2018 – 29 August 2020
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Al-Mahdi Al-Barghathi
Succeeded by	Salah Eddine al-Namrouch
Personal details
Born	Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj (1960-02-20) 20 February 1960 (age 65) Tripoli, Kingdom of Libya
Political party	Independent
Signature
*Sarrraj's premiership was disputed by Abdullah al-Thani and Khalifa al-Ghawil.

Political career

His father, Mostafa al-Sarraj was a minister during the Libyan Monarchy.^[5][6] Trained as an architect, during the Gaddafi era he worked in the Housing Ministry.^[7] In 2014, he served as the Minister of Housing and Utilities in the Maiteeq Cabinet of the GNC.^[8] Some critics "regard Sarraj as a politician imposed by foreign powers."^[9] At the time of his appointment "Guma el-Gamaty, a member of Libya Dialogue, the UN-chaired body that created the new government, said Sarraj was expected to ask for help to combat Isis and train Libyan units."^[10]

Presidency

In early October 2015, the United Nations envoy to Libya, Bernardino León, proposed a national unity government for Libya, led by a prime minister (Fayez al-Sarraj), three deputies from the country's east, west, and south regions, and two ministers to complete a presidential council.^[11] However, this national unity government was rejected by the internationally recognized legislature in Tobruk and the rival government in Tripoli.^[12]

Fayez al-Sarraj, and six other members of the Presidential Council and proposed cabinet arrived in Tripoli on 30 March 2016.^[13] The following day, it was reported^{[undue weight? ]} that the GNA has taken control of the prime ministerial offices and that the GNC appointed prime minister Khalifa al-Ghawil had fled to Misrata.^{[14][unreliable source?]}

Prior to his initial arrival in Tripoli in March 2016, Sarraj survived two separate assassination attempts.^[15]

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.^[16] 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".^[17][18]