Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid al-Dabaiba adhered to the national unity government, while the head of the Supreme Council of State, Khaled al-Mashri, welcomed dealing with the House of Representatives.

Al-Dabaiba said that what is happening under the dome of the parliament is an absurdity marred by forgery and fraud, in reference to the parliament's vote to appoint a new prime minister, Fathi Bashagha.

During a speech before a reconciliation conference in the city of Reqdaleen in western Libya, Dabaiba added that a few in the House of Representatives control the decision with threats and predominance, as he put it.

He had stated before that that he was still practicing his work according to the 18-month period specified in the agreed roadmap, and that his government would only hand over power to an elected party.


split and collapse

Dabaiba was installed last year as head of the Government of National Unity, a body formed through a UN-backed process to unify Libya's divided institutions and oversee the run-up to elections scheduled for last December.

After the electoral process collapsed amid disagreements between factions over its rules, Parliament moved to control the political process by announcing a new roadmap for elections and replacing the interim government.

A few days ago, Parliament asked Bashagha to form a new government, after a session in which the Speaker said that the only other candidate withdrew, and then the former Minister of Interior was chosen in a quick vote by show of hands.

Bashagha flew to Tripoli on Thursday night ahead of the two-week government formation process, and said he expected Dabaiba to hand over power peacefully.

Dabaiba says that he will announce within days a road map for the country, leading to elections this summer.

For his part, the head of the Supreme Council of State in Libya, Khaled Al-Mashri, expressed the council's readiness to deal with the House of Representatives.

He said that the Supreme Council is not concerned with granting confidence to the government, indicating that the door is open for communication between the House of Representatives and the state to investigate any irregularities related to the selection of the new prime minister.

Al-Mashri added, "We received complaints unofficially that some candidates were not given the opportunity or otherwise. The door of the Supreme Council of State is open, and it is in contact with the Parliament to investigate any violation that occurred in this matter."

Military formations in the center of the capital, Tripoli (Reuters)

military mobilization

The Libyan capital is witnessing a huge military build-up in support of the current Libyan government, and rejecting the appointment of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha as head of a new government.

Sources told Al Jazeera that this mobilization aims to control security and stability in Tripoli, and to confront any aggravation of the situation due to political developments.

Al-Jazeera correspondent reported the arrival of armed forces affiliated with the Army's Chief of Staff from Misurata and other cities.

These forces confirmed - in a statement they issued - their rejection of the measures taken by the House of Representatives by appointing Bashagha as prime minister, and demanded not to extend the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State.

This force stressed the necessity of submitting the draft constitution to a referendum, and holding parliamentary elections no later than next June.

A military convoy in the streets of Tripoli last night (Reuters)

Enhancement and risk

Yesterday, Saturday morning, a convoy of fighters from the city of Misurata arrived in the capital, Tripoli, to support Dabaiba.

The arrival of the convoy confirms the danger of renewed fighting in Libya with the outbreak of the crisis, following movements in the past weeks by armed factions that support various political parties.

The position of the United Nations and the major powers will be decisive in determining the outcome of the conflict over the interim government, after foreign intervention in the conflict for years.

The United Nations said it still recognized the Dabaiba government and the political process of which it was part.

However, she said yesterday, Friday, that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was informed of the parliament's move to appoint Bashagha, and the parliament's move with another body - the High Council of State in Libya - to chart a revised path towards elections.