Libya has found itself with two prime ministers, after the House of Representatives appointed a new prime minster and the interim incumbent refused to step aside.
The saga has raised the possibility of renewed violence in a country where elites have long ignored the wishes of citizens to choose their leaders, analysts say. Former interior minister Fathi Bashagha was selected to replace interim prime minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.
But Dbeibah — who was appointed a year ago as part of United Nations-led peace efforts — has vowed to only hand over power to an elected government. The UN has been working to reunite the country’s divided institutions since the end of the most severe fighting in 2020, but many analysts have accused the entrenched political elite of blocking reconciliation efforts.

