Maghreb news- Lamine Ghanmi
Libya’s internationally recognised parliament voted on Monday to reject a unity government proposed under a U.N.-backed plan to resolve the country’s political strife and violence between rival militias.
The dismissal was widely expected, but underlined that the steep challenge U.N mediators still face in rallying support for a new government.
Out of 104 members attending the session in the eastern city of Tobruk, an overwhelming majority of 89 voted against the cabinet-line up announced last week, demanding a fresh administration list within 10 days.
Since 2014, Libya has had two competing parliaments and governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east.
Both are backed by a cluster of alliances of armed groups and former rebels who helped ouster Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The European Union is at the fore of an international effort by western powers to bolster the unity government on the hope it will restore stability and stem the expansion of Islamic State militants and other Jihadists.
Eastern parliament members said the proposed 32-portfolio government had been rejected because it comprised too many ministries and positions. They called on the Tunis-based Presidential Council to come up with shorter list of posts.
In a second vote, 97 members of the Tobruk legislative body endorsed the U.N.-mediated agreement that sets out a political transition for Libya under the stewardship of the Presidential Council.
However, they turned down a clause that gives the new government the power on military personnel appointments.
The armed forces allied to the eastern government are headed by Gen Khalifa Haftar, a former Gaddafi ally who has become one of the most divisive personalities among Libya’s feuding groups.
Many in the east see him as a palatable future leader of a national full-fledged army, but the maverick general is despised by the mostly Islamist-leaning forces allied to the government in Tripoli.