MOSCOW, June 5 (RAPSI) – Libya’s Supreme Court said on Thursday the election of Ahmed Maiteeq as prime minister was illegal, Reuters reported, citing court officials.
Maiteeq’s lawyers immediately filed an appeal against the ruling, which was broadcast on television.

The General National Congress (provisional parliament) on May 25 elected Maiteeq as prime minister by 78 votes upon the recommendation of Abdullah al-Thinni, who stepped down as prime minister in mid-April. He said his goal was to end political chaos and violence.

According to Reuters, some lawmakers and officials disputed the vote because a quorum had allegedly not been reached.

The situation in Libya deteriorated dramatically after that the so-called National Army of the renegade general Khalifa Haftar attacked Islamists in Benghazi without notifying the Tripoli authorities. Dozens were killed in the attack. Later the general’s supporters blocked the work of the General National Congress, with which many Libyans were dissatisfied.

Tensions have been a fact of life in Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. There are many armed territorial and tribal groups, some of which are better armed and more combat ready than the police.