Libya's National Army Welcomes Parliament's Decision to Appoint New PM

The eastern-based army of Libya on Thursday welcomed the unanimous vote of the House of Representatives (parliament) for Fathi Bashagha as the country's new prime minister.

"The General Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces welcomes and supports the Libyan Parliament's decision to task Mr. Fathi Bashagha to form a new government that leads the country into a better future," the eastern-based army said in a statement.

The statement called on Bashagha to support the efforts of the Joint Military Commission (JMC) for the general elections, bolster the fight against terrorism and unify the state's institutions.

Bashagha was the interior minister of the former UN-backed Government of National Accord before the current Government of National Unity was approved in early 2021.

Interim Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah said on Tuesday that his government will remain in office until elections are held and will only hand over to an elected government.

The Government of National Unity was appointed by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in February 2021, ending years of political pision in the North African country.

General elections in Libya had been scheduled for Dec. 24, 2021, but were postponed indefinitely over technical and legal issues, according to the High National Elections Commission.