Libya’s parliament swore in a new government even after two of the proposed ministers were kidnapped in a failed attempt to stall the move, as an escalating standoff risks reigniting conflict in the OPEC member.
The incoming foreign affairs and culture ministers were seized by gunmen while en route to the Thursday ceremony in the eastern city of Tobruk, according to a statement from the office of Fathi Bashagha, the premier backed by Libya’s parliament to replace incumbent Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s administration. Dbeibah rejects the decision to oust him.
