Libya PM Wins Parliament Approval for New Govt Lineup
Libya's Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani on Monday won the blessing of parliament for his proposed cabinet of 13 ministers, after a previous line-up was rejected.
Thani and the internationally recognized parliament, elected in June, are in virtual domestic exile in the far eastern city of Tobruk because of widespread insecurity, including in the capital, where a rival administration has been set up.
The prime minister was charged in early September to form a new cabinet after a toothless interim team resigned late August.
But parliament last week rejected Thani's first proposal of a new 18-member cabinet, calling instead for a smaller team.
On Monday, he won approval, "with 110 votes out of 112 present," parliament spokesman Fradj Abu Hashem said.
The new cabinet of 13 ministers includes three deputy prime ministers.
The crucial defense portfolio which has until now been occupied by Thani remains vacant, while the interior minister post was given to Omar al-Sanki.
Omar al-Dayer was named foreign minister.
Fighters from the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) alliance have constituted a rival government in Tripoli under Islamist sympathizer Omar al-Hassi and set the constitutionally defunct General National Congress, or interim parliament, back to work.
Source: Agence France Presse
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