Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha met on Friday night with a delegation of social and tribal leaders from the city of Zliten, 160 km to the east of Tripoli.
According to a brief statement by his government, Bashagha reportedly discussed with the delegates his efforts to assume office in the capital.
The 59-year-old was selected as premier by parliament in February this year. However, the incumbent rival Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh rejected the parliament’s decision, claiming that he will only relinquish power after national elections.
After several abortive attempts to enter Tripoli, all of which led military confrontations, Bashagha decided to settle his government in Sirte in order to “avoid bloodshed”.