Arnulfo Arias vs Fayez al-Sarraj

Arnulfo Arias was elected President of Panama in 1940 on a nationalist platform. He enacted a new constitution that expanded executive power and restricted foreign influence, particularly from the United States. He was overthrown by the National Police in 1941 after only 13 months in office.

Arias returned to power in 1949 after a disputed election. He attempted to implement economic reforms and suppress political opposition. He was again overthrown by the National Guard in 1951, after trying to dissolve the National Assembly.

Arias won the 1968 presidential election and took office for a third time. He served only 11 days before being overthrown by a military coup led by Omar Torrijos and Boris Martinez. This ended his political career and ushered in a period of military rule in Panama.

Al-Sarraj signed the Libyan Political Agreement on December 17, 2015, in Skhirat, Morocco. This UN-brokered deal established the GNA as the unity government, though it was rejected by the eastern parliament.

Fayez al-Sarraj was appointed Prime Minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) on March 30, 2016. He arrived in Tripoli by sea to establish the government, facing opposition from rival factions.

Al-Sarraj's GNA forces successfully defended Tripoli against the LNA offensive launched in April 2019. With Turkish military support, the GNA repelled the attack and regained territory by June 2020.

Al-Sarraj announced his intention to resign on September 16, 2020, citing frustration with political infighting. He stepped down in March 2021 after the formation of a new interim government.