A new Libyan leadership was elected on Friday by a UN-led forum, with Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah the surprise choice for the role of transitional prime minister in a four-man presidency council. Their list beat a slate including eastern-based parliament speaker Aguila Saleh and western-based interior minister Fathi Bashagha, who would have become prime minister. "On behalf of the United Nations I am pleased to witness this historic moment," said acting UN Libya envoy Stephanie Williams. Over five days, the UN-led forum in Switzerland held negotiations, formed the four-man voting lists and ended with Friday's vote. "There is a sigh of relief among many in western Libya who opposed a purely opportunistic deal with Agilah and Haftar.

Source: Libya Today February 05, 2021 15:19 UTC