Al-Mishri: Parliament’s naming of new prime minister is an ‘improper measure’

TRIPOLI, Feb. 16 (YPA) – The High Council of State (HCS) Head, Khaled Al-Mishri, said in a statement on Wednesday that Libyan  parliament’s decision to appoint a new head of government before holding a formal session of the Supreme Council ” is an “improper measure and doesn’t help in building confidence between the two councils”.

Last  Thursday, Libya’s Parliament spokesman  declared Fathi Bashagha as the new interim prime minister after a rival candidate withdrew, but it was not clear if the chamber had held a vote.

The move threatens to restore Libya to division between two warring and parallel administrations that ruled from 2014 until the formation of a government of national unity last year under a UN-backed peace plan.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Libya’s prime minister, said he did not recognize parliament’s attempt to remove him and would not step down.

He also said he would not hand over power until after elections.

Libya was scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in December, but differences between factions and state agencies over how it would take place led to the collapse of the process days before the vote.

E.M