New Libya government postponed

BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP) -- Libya’s new rulers have decided to postpone formation of a transitional government until the entire country is liberated from forces loyal to ex-leader Moammar Gadhafi, an official said on Tuesday.

“Consultations have led to a decision to postpone the formation of a government until after liberation,” Mustafa el-Huni, a member of the ruling National Transitional Council, said in the NTC’s eastern bastion of Benghazi.

On Saturday, NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the new government would be announced this week, acknowledging that “differences in views” between members of the NTC and the executive council had delayed a deal.

“We are faced with the Libyan mentality that every tribe, every region, every city has a share in the new government,” Abdel Jalil said.

“But we still have not freed all territory and (fugitive leader Moammar) Gadhafi maintains all of his capacity to do harm, and may harm the Libyans and the entire world,” he said.

“The priority is the liberation of the territory and the restoration of security,” he added, referring to Gadhafi’s hometown Sirte and the town of Bani Walid, the only remaining bastions of the fallen leader’s forces.

The birth of a new government had been due on September 18, but was postponed because of haggling over portfolios.

Prior to a meeting on Saturday, one official insisted it would be “decisive,” but another expressed doubts that differences could be overcome.

“There is still no agreement on the composition of the government or the number of its members,” said the skeptical official.

“There are a lot of proposals,” he said, and while there could be a deal, “I fear we will not reach one given the current situation.”