Libya's national assembly has rejected the government line-up proposed by new Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur (pictured) after protesters stormed its headquarters, a representative told AFP.
“We voted to reject the government proposed by Abushagur and to grant him until Sunday to present a new line-up,” said Abdelali al-Dersi, who represents the eastern town of Al-Bayda in the assembly.
“The government didn't represent all the sectors or regions of Libyan society. It was thrown together arbitrarily and on the basis of friendships,” he added.
Abushagur made a televised statement shortly after the vote, saying he had picked “highly-qualified” individuals for his cabinet and that he had expected the congress to discuss the merits of each individual candidate.
“Knowing the objections would help me offer (better) alternatives,” he added, stressing that he had picked his cabinet on the basis of competence, experience, courage and geographical considerations.
Abushagur said he formally asked the assembly to withdraw and amend the list. General National Congress representatives had began discussing the lineup late on Thursday after more than 100 demonstrators had barged into their headquarters complaining that the western town of Zawiyah was not represented on the list.
