The recently appointed head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) met with Fayez Sarraj, the head of Libya’s UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), in Tripoli amid reports about Sarraj’s alleged plans to leave his post, the UNSMIL said on Wednesday.

On Sunday media reports emerged claiming that Sarraj left Libya for an unknown destination and an indefinite period, entrusting his duties to his deputy chair, Ahmed Maiteeq.

Some news outlets alleged, citing sources, that Sarraj would not come back to Tripoli, and that powers would be transferred to a new government.

However, Sarraj’s media adviser, Hassan al-Houni, refuted the reports as “absolutely false” in his comment for Sputnik.

“UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Libya and Head of UNSMIL Jan Kubis met today with the President of the Presidency Council Mr Fayez Serraj in Tripoli, who congratulated him on his appointment, and offered him his support in his new Mission.

“He expressed his full support for a smooth transition of power.

“Special Envoy Kubis congratulated Mr Serraj on the progress made so far in the three-track Libyan-led/owned dialogue, including the ceasefire agreement and the successful outcome of the LPDF (Libyan Political Dialogue Forum), as well as the recent agreement on a unified budget.

“They both agreed on the need for full compliance with the date of the agreed-upon elections, Dec. 24, 2021,” UNSMIL wrote on Twitter. (Sputnik/NAN)