Libyan GNC rejects crisis government proposal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Libya's General National Congress rejected prime minister-elect Mustafa Abushagur's crisis government proposal Sunday, Oct 7, according to CNN.

The "no confidence" vote results in the automatic dismissal of Abushagur as prime minister-elect less than a month after he was appointed, while keeping the current government in place until a new one is formed.

The vote was overwhelmingly against the proposal, with 125 voting "no confidence," 44 "confidence" and 17 abstaining.

The General National Congress, which named Abushagur prime minister-elect on September 12, had given him a deadline of Sunday to submit the cabinet plan.

Abushagur proposed a downsized 10-member "crisis government" to lead the country during a time of instability in the North African nation.

The GNC was set to vote on a 29-member cabinet Thursday, but Abushagur withdrew that list following criticism from many members of the congress. Protesters also stormed the congress headquarters.

After Sunday's vote, the congress renewed support for the interim government of Abdulrahim al-Kib, in which Abushagur is deputy prime minister, to serve until the government is formed.

Members postponed a decision on setting a new timetable for appointing a new prime minister and the deadline for forming a government.

Abushagur, in his address at the GNC broadcast live on state television Sunday, criticized the country's politicians for prioritizing regional and political representation over Libya's interests.

He said he had been under great pressure from political blocs within congress for cabinet positions and that independent members of the GNC were pushing for ministerial posts for their regions.

"It is unfortunate that I am no longer worthy of confidence because I refused to comply with their unrealistic demand," Abushagur said.

"These conditions that were imposed on me to form a government contradict my own principles that I announced from this podium on September 11th," he said. "I am not willing to abandon the principles and values that I believe in and lived my entire life based on."

Abushagur said he was being forced to form a government based on regional quotas, not one with qualified individuals who can lead Libya through a period he said was one of the most delicate times in its history.