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Libya: New Islamist-backed PM holds first cabinet meeting

LIBYA’S nominal Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq held his first cabinet meeting in his offices yesterday night after police and militia members helped him enter.

Islamist-backed Mr Maiteeq arrived at office late in the evening escorted by police cars.

In a statement after the meeting, Mr Maiteeq denounced clashes between Islamists and dissident forces loyal to rebel general Khalifa Haftar that erupted in eastern Benghazi on Monday, killing around 20 people.

Gen Haftar began a self-declared campaign last month to purge Libya of Islamist militants he says the government has failed to challenge.

The cabinet meeting had been in doubt since outgoing premier Abdullah al-Thinni refused to hand over to Mr Maiteeq, who was elected by parliament last month.

Mr Thinni had supposedly resigned in April but claims he received conflicting orders from parliament over the legitimacy of his successor’s election and still insists he will continue until congress resolves the dispute.

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