Libya delays confidence vote over lack of quorum
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Armed Libyan men take part in a demonstration marking the fifth anniversary of the Libyan revolution in the city of Benghazi on February 17, 2016. ©AFP
The internationally recognized parliament of Libya has failed to hold a vote of confidence in the UN-backed unity government over a lack of quorum.
Lawmaker Mohamed al-Abbani said on Tuesday that the session was adjourned as the required quorum that needs 89 members of parliament was not reached.
Another lawmaker, Ali Al-Qaidi, said the session for the vote was postponed until next week, pointing to differences between lawmakers on the proposed new government's program.
Disagreements over the order of the day were mentioned as another bone of contention.
Oil-rich Libya currently has two rival governments and parliaments.
In the summer of 2014, Libya’s recognized government escaped the capital, Tripoli, after a militia alliance captured the city. The internationally recognized legislature is now based in the eastern city of Tobruk.
That militia alliance, meanwhile, formed its own administration and parliament called the General National Congress (GNC).
The unity government was announced on January 19 to bridge a political divide that has undermined the fight against terrorist groups in Libya.
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