United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement on Wednesday evening that Stephanie Turco Williams will be his Acting Special Representative in Libya until the appointment of a successor to Ghassan Salamé.

Guterres said he was “grateful to Mr. Salamé for his accomplishments at the helm of UNSMIL, and his tireless efforts to bring peace and stability back to Libya.”

The UN statement said that Ms. Williams brings more than 24 years of experience in government and international affairs. She has served as Deputy Special Representative (Political) in UNSMIL since 2018.

Salamé, a Lebanese appointed in 2017, struggled to organise elections and bring rival parties together for talks to end the conflict until he announced his resignation on 2 March, citing health reasons.

Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, said Guterres has informally consulted with some council members about appointing the 68-year-old former Algerian Foreign Minster Ramtane Lamamra as his new Libya envoy, but has not yet sent a formal letter.

Diplomats said most council members support the appointment.

Libya has faced internal strife since the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and the latest round of violence began last year when eastern-based forces began to advance on the capital Tripoli.

Last month, Salamé brought delegations from the two rival sides in Libya's conflict to Geneva for peace talks, but key representatives suspended their involvement.

Shelling in Tripoli then intensified into some of the heaviest bombardments since Salamé brokered a ceasefire on 12 January.