Libya’s supreme court rules against the appointment of new prime minister

TRIPOLI, Libya – A Libyan high court has ruled that the appointment by the Islamist-led parliament of Ahmed Maiteg as prime minister is unconstitutional.

The decision Monday by the Supreme constitutional Court is likely to deepen Libya’s political crisis at a time when renegade Gen. Khalifa Hifter is waging an offensive against Islamist militias. Hifter has warned he will detain Islamist lawmakers, accusing them of financing militias which he blames for much of Libya’s chaos.

Maiteg was elected last month by parliament in a contested vote, which prompted incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni to refuse to hand over the post until the judiciary decided on the matter.

Libya has sunk into chaos in recent past years following the downfall and the killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in the country’s 2011 civil war.

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