TRIPOLI
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has denied reports about a military coup in Libya.
"There is no coup," Zeidan said in a speech aired on the Libyan television on Friday.
"There will be no return to the era of coups," he said.
Military commander Maj. Gen. Khalifa Haftar earlier claimed that his forces have seized control of several military and vital sites in the country.
Haftar alleged that his forces have suspended the General National Congress (interim parliament) and the government.
But Zeidan insisted that Libyan security agencies are in full control of the situation on the ground.
He went on to say that he has given orders to the Defense Ministry to "take all necessary measures" against Haftar, calling for public support for the government and GNC "to cruise the country to safety".
Libya has fallen into a political crisis since the GNC voted to extend by one year both its mandate and the country's transitional period, which followed the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.
Under an original timetable for transition, parliament should have elected a constituent assembly, drafted a constitution, and put the draft charter to a popular referendum before holding parliamentary polls sometime before February.
The new GNC-endorsed timetable, however, stipulates that a constituent assembly be elected by February and a new constitution drafted by July, to be put to a vote by August. Parliamentary elections should be held by December, according to the new timeline.
The twin extensions have been met by anger on the part of many Libyans, who have called for protests aimed at pressuring parliament to reverse the move.
By Osama bin Hamel
englishnews@aa.com.tr
