Libyan minister resigns amid protest pressure

Libya’s new leaders say the economy minister resigned after protests demanding that former regime officials be barred from serving in government. Taher Sharkas had been appointed to the same post by Muammar Qaddafi just two months before the longtime leader’s capture and killing in October and around three days before rebel fighters took over the capital, Tripoli. Protesters in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi had been calling for Shakars’ ouster after it was discovered that he was appointed as minister by Qaddafi on Aug. 18. Government spokesman Ashour Shames said Saturday that Taher Sharkas resigned due to health reasons. The government has said it is open to some reconciliation with former regime officials, but protesters are mostly opposed.