Deputy head of Libya's NTC resigns.

RTE News - The deputy head of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council is resigning from his post.

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga's decision follows a series of protests against the country's new rulers.

"I do not want to influence the NTC and for national interests I chose to resign," he told Al Jazeera television.

He added: "Unfortunately, the consensus has not continued to maintain the highest national interests. The atmosphere of deprivation and hatred has prevailed.

"I do not want this atmosphere to continue and negatively affect the National Transitional Council and its performance."

The move comes a day after Libya and Italy signed a wide-ranging political pact to redefine their ties in the post-Gaddafi era.

Elsewhere, anger in Benghazi has been simmering since October when the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) moved to the capital Tripoli after declaring Libya liberated from Gaddafi's 42-year rule. Months later, residents say they feel forgotten.

"The government is working without a judiciary or police. We know they are getting money from the over one million barrels of oil they sell a day, but where is it being spent?" Rabia said in fluent English.

But the worst of it is that people who worked with Gaddafi are being appointed into the interim government," he added, echoing a complaint from many in Benghazi who say they fear the corruption and nepotism of Gaddafi's rule did not die along with the dictator.