LIBYA’S elected parliament, the House of Representatives in Tobruk, asked Abdullah al-Thinni today to form a new caretaker government.

Mr Thinni had been prime minister of the country since March, but his position has been challenged by a rival parliament and several militias.

Last Thursday, Mr Thinni and his cabinet announced their resignation to make way for a new government based on parliamentary elections held in June.

The rival General National Congress, backed by fighters who control the streets of the capital Tripoli, called on Omar al-Hassi to form a “salvation government” last week.

The interim government has been unable to establish control of Tripoli.

“Ministry and state offices in Tripoli have been occupied by armed militias who are preventing government workers from entering and are threatening their superiors,” the Tobruk-based government said overnight.

It said it was “trying to ensure the continuity of services from afar.”