UN more neutral on PM appointed in Libya’s east, urges vote

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for stability in Libya after the appointment of a new prime minister by the country’s east-based parliament, a move that’s already reigniting divisions in the war-torn country. Friday’s statement seems to reflect a more neutral position than the U.N.’s initial support for Libya’s current interim prime minister. East-based lawmakers on Thursday appointed former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha to replace Abdul Hamid Dbeibah as head of a new interim government. This appeared to counter U.N. efforts to reconcile the country which has been divided between rival administrations in the east and west for years. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric had said Thursday that the U.N. supported Dbeibah.