Libyan prime minister resigns after armed attack on family

TRIPOLI, Libya, April 14 (UPI) -- Newly appointed Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni submitted his resignation on Sunday a day after armed men attacked him and his family.

Al-Thinni had been appointed interim prime minister on April 8. Four days later, an unidentified Libyan militia opened fire on his convoy while his family was with him close to their residence, a neighbor told CNN. Al-Thinni and his family were able to escape into their neighborhood near Tripoli and there were no reported injuries.

In his resignation letter, al-Thinni explained his decision and apologized, writing "I do not accept a single drop of Libyan blood be shed because of me and I do not accept to be a reason for fighting among Libyans because of this position... Therefore I apologize for not accepting my designation as interim prime minister."

The U.S. Department of State expressed its outrage over the attack, with spokesperson Jen Psaki declaring that "Threats of violence to the Prime Minister or others are unconscionable and we condemn them in the strongest terms."

"At a time when Libya most needs political consensus to move forward its democratic transition, extortion by physical attack must not hijack the process of peaceful dialogue," Psaki stated.

[CNN] [State Department]