Vote on proposed Libya cabinet lineup dogged by ambiguity

By Moataz al-Majbari

TRIPOLI

Conflicting reports have emerged about Libya’s Tobruk-based parliament holding a session to vote on a proposed cabinet lineup for a UN-backed unity government.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene on Monday to vote on the government lineup, which was proposed by prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.

While local and foreign media reported that the vote had been postponed, a Libyan lawmaker has said that it would be held as scheduled.

"The session was not postponed; MPs are still waiting for the vote to be held," the MP told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

"There are numerous lawmakers and a quorum must be reached for holding the session," he said.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a bloody rebellion ended with the ouster and death of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, one in Tobruk and one in Tripoli, each of which boasts its own military capacity and legislative assembly.

Late last year, Libya's rival governments signed a UN-sponsored agreement to form a unity government in an effort to resolve the country’s five-year political crisis.

However, the Tobruk-based parliament has so far failed to endorse a cabinet lineup proposed by al-Sarraj.

Late last month, members of the proposed unity government arrived in Libyan capital Tripoli from Tunisia, but have yet to assume any political authority.

Last year’s UN-backed agreement calls for a one-year transitional phase to last until national elections can be held.

Under the terms of the deal, the unity government would run the country's affairs during the transitional period.