Tripoli: Libya`s 200-member General National Congress has elected a former congressman and human rights lawyer as the country`s new prime minister.
Ali Zidan, who resigned as a congressman to run as a candidate in the election, won 93 votes, securing him a majority from those present in voting.
Zidan was a diplomat under Moammar Gadhafi before defecting in the 1980s and joining Libya`s oldest opposition movement, National Front for the Salvation of Libya, from Geneva where he resided.
The congress selected the new prime minister today following last week`s dismissal of Mustafa Abushagur after just 25 days in the post for failing to present a Cabinet list that satisfied legislators. Zidan had previously run against Abushagur and lost.
Minister for local government, Mohammed Al-Harari, came in second place with 85 votes.
PTI