Libyan parliament rejects UN-backed unity government

Since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has slid into chaos.

A national unity government, lead by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj, was formed last week under the UN-sponsored accord.

The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation estimates that Libya has lost more than $68 billion in potential oil revenues since 2013 as a result of 75 separate oilfield shutdowns and port disruptions, the Financial Times reported.

“We voted the rejection of confidence in the government and we ask (…) that a new government is presented”, said MP Ali al-Gaydi, following a session of parliament met in Tobruk.

In a second vote, 97 members of the Tobruk parliament backed the U.N.-mediated agreement that sets out a political transition for Libya and under which the Presidential Council operates.

Meeting in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 out of 104 members of the House of Representatives rejected the proposed new government, demanding wholesale changes.

He called for “a smaller government without this high number of ministries”.

The vote is seen as a major blow to United Nations efforts to unify the country’s two rival parliaments.

The rival parliament based in Tripoli, the General National Congress, also opposes the agreement.

While their support is not necessary for the unity government to start operating, they could prevent it from working out of the capital.

Hifter, who served as army chief under Gadhafi before defecting, rose to new prominence after declaring a coup against the Tripoli-based government in 2014 and launching “Operation Dignity”, a military campaign against Islamic militants in the east. He describes all Islamists as terrorists, including those in Tripoli.

Western powers hope a unity government will deliver stability and be able to tackle a growing threat from Islamic State militants. In recent weeks the extremist group has launched attacks from its stronghold in the city of Sirte on facilities in the “oil crescent” along the country’s northern coast.