Libya forms interim government

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Libya forms interim government

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Libyas swears in a new interim government tasked with leading to elections within seven months.

25 November,2011 06:42 am

The inauguration comes just over a month after Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed and days after his son, Saif al-Islam, was seized in the Libya’s southern desert.Libya inaugurated an interim government on Thursday that is tasked to lead the country still reeling from a civil war that toppled and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi.Elections are expected in seven months.Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib and 18 members of his new cabinet were sworn in by National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil, each taking their turn to swear allegiance to Libya with one hand placed on the Koran, the Muslim holy book.The inauguration came two days after the NTC named a cabinet favouring appointees who will soothe rivalries between regional factions.Speaking after the inauguration, NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil thanked those not included in the new government.“I must offer thanks to everyone who worked with us at this stage from the NTC and who are not included in this government that was formed today. They went through a difficult time and we must thank them because we had very little (resources) and there were many demands on us and I thank them for this. We are very happy with this formation today. The transitional government will remain this way for seven months and has many demands on it and specific aims in mind,” he added.Six cabinet members, including Defence Minister Osama al-Juwali and Oil Minister Abdurrahim Ben Yazza did not attend but were due to be sworn in at a later date.“The brothers from the eastern area could not come in the time we needed them but hopefully they will be here within the next two days,” El-Keib told reporters.Five Amazigh, or Berber, members of the NTC boycotted the ceremony in protest that their ethnic group was not given more ministerial positions.