Confidence vote on hold as Libya unity govt asserts authority

Libya's parliament postponed a vote of confidence expected to be held on April 19 on a new UN-backed unity government even as it asserted its authority by assuming control of two ministries.
 
Deputies told AFP a special session of the internationally-recognised parliament, to be held in the eastern city of Tobruk, failed to take place because of "big differences".
 
"We couldn't hold a session today. There are big differences on what should we vote on first: the confidence or amendment of the constitution," MP Abu Bakr Beira said.
 
"The session was postponed till tomorrow, and hopefully it will happen."  

Another MP, Khalifa Daghari, said a committee was formed of supporters and opponents of the unity government to try to reach a deal.
 
"If we reach it, we will hold a session tomorrow. If we don't, we will keep trying," said Daghari.
 
In contrast to the reservations on the domestic front over prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj's cabinet, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond flew into Tripoli on April 19, hot on the heels of visits last week by the foreign ministers of Italy, France and Germany for talks on shoring up the new administration.
 
The international community sees the Government of National Accord (GNA) as the best hope for oil-rich Libya, which has been roiled by turmoil since the 2011 ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi.
 
Concern has been compounded by the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Libya, where the jihadists have set up a bastion just 300 kilometres (185 miles) from Italy across the Mediterranean.
 
People smugglers are also feeding on the chaos, with a surge of illegal migration to Europe from Libya.
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