The GNC, which held its inaugural meeting on the 9th August, elected Mohamed Magarief, (a long term opponent to the Gaddafi Regime and former head of the National Front) as head of the Council. According to the NTC’s 2011 Constitutional Declaration the GNC was given 30 days from its first meeting to select a new prime minister, however, the GNC have officially delayed the decision until the 12th September.
The current deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Aboushagur and the Minister for Electricity Awad Barasi (a member of the Justice and Reconstruction Party) are widely considered to be amongst the front runners for the post of Prime Minister.
However, both are limited by regulations passed by the GNC which prohibit Libyans who hold a second nationality, or whose spouse is non-Libyan, from occupying any high office in congress or holding the position of prime minister, foreign minister, interior minister or defence minister. Potential candidates could be eligible to hold office if they renounce their foreign nationality.
Other names which have been connected with the role of Prime Minister are Mahmoud Jabril (NFA), who is considered to be a strong candidate for the position, and Mohamed Barween, who played a key role in organising local elections in Misurata. It is possible that other candidates may be nominated leading to a surprise result on 12th September.
Once the Prime Minister has been announced he will be given up to 30 days to select his cabinet. Unless we see further procedural delays we expect to see a new government in place by mid-October. The new Ministers, and their deputies, will need some time to settle in and get to grips with their new role and office.
Although the government formed by the GNC is an Interim Government (which is scheduled to be replaced by a permanent Government following further elections expected to be held in 2013/14 following the drafting and ratification of Libya's new constitution) it is hoped that by having a public mandate, the newly elected Government can make effective decisions and take the necessary actions to stimulate progress in Libya.
(Source: ie Consultancy)