TRIPOLI – Libya's national assembly gave its approval Wednesday to a cabinet line-up proposed by Prime Minister-designate Ali Zidan, a day after protesters derailed a vote, state media reported. “The General National Congress gives its confidence to the government of Ali Zidan,” the official LANA news agency reported. A total of 105 members voted in favor, 18 abstained and nine voted against, state television said. Zidan, the second prime minister designate to try to form a government since the assembly was elected in July, had presented a 30-member line-up including both liberals and Islamists. Protesters stormed the assembly Tuesday derailing a first attempt to vote on the government. Demonstrators have managed to force their way into the assembly building on more than one occasion since it was elected, highlighting the vulnerability of the country's transition to democracy since the overthrow and killing of veteran dictator Muammar Gaddafi last year. Zidan's program puts heavy emphasis on reforming the army and police, which remain heavily dependent on the myriad of former rebel militias that have yet to be brought under unified command since the uprising. “The government was approved. Now the session is over due to the mess outside,” congress member Suleiman Zoubi said. As congress met amid tight security, Libyan security forces briefly fired shots in the air to disperse a crowd of about 100 protesters outside the building. Zidan needed congress' approval to take office. His transitional government will focus on restoring security in the oil-producing country where many militias have yet to disarm. – Agencies
