Libya assembly rejects govt line-up

Scores of angry Libyans have stormed the country's parliament building to protest a cabinet line-up proposed by prime minister-elect Mustafa Abu Shagur, reported local media.

Reports from Tripoli late on Thursday indicated that Abu Shagur withdrew his cabinet line-up, which is mainly made up of technocrats.

Congress leader Mohammed Magarief said the list had not been approved by Congress and that Abu Shagur should present a new one by Sunday.

Earlier, protesters, who came mainly from areas not represented in the new government, stormed the parliament building in Tripoli while the National Congress was holding a session on the proposed cabinet, media reports said.

Abu Shagur on Wednesday announced and presented the line-up to the assembly for approval.

The protesters demanded the National Congress reject the proposed government and pick a replacement for Abu Shagur, a source inside the assembly told the independent news agency Solidarity Press.

"The president of the Congress talked with the protesters and promised to look into their demand," added the source.

The protesters said they came from areas that had joined the armed revolt that eventually toppled the regime of Muammar Gaddafi last year, and as such should be represented in the new government.

The protests occurred as some legislators expressed disdain for the cabinet.

"Although most of the Congress' members are not satisfied with the proposed names, (Congress) will not bow to any blackmailing or pressure," the spokesman for the assembly, Omar Humaydan, told reporters in Tripoli.

See the original post here:
Libya assembly rejects govt line-up