The head of Libya's parliament resigned on Tuesday because he falls under a recently adopted Political Isolation Law barring officials who served under slain leader Moamer Gaddafi from holding office, dpa reported.
"The people's representatives passed the Political Isolation Law and everybody should abide by it, to respect for the legitimacy and in consolidate democracy. And I will be the first to commit to it," Mohammed al-Magariaf said as he addressed members of the National Congress.
"I put my resignation in your hands and leave with my head held high," he added, before he finishes his speech to a standing ovation from lawmakers.
The congress adopted the law earlier in May after militias - who took part in a 2011 armed revolt that ousted Gaddafi - protested for days demanding the removal of officials with ties to the former leader's 42-year regime.
The law comes into effect in June.
In his speech, al-Magariaf called on all groups to put down their arms and avoid conflict to pressure the government.
"Achieving harmony and national reconciliation, along with transitional justice, is the first and most important goal for all of us," he said. "There must be a comprehensive plan that everybody works to make it succeed."
Al-Magariaf was elected as the head of the National Congress in August, becoming Libya's de facto head of state. Libya held its first democratic elections in July, less than a year after they overthrew Gaddafi.
He held several government posts in the 1970s, until he resigned from his position as Libya's ambassador to India in 1980 to join the exiled opposition against Gaddafi.
