The demonstrators, who were unarmed, barged their way into the GNC to air their grievances to representatives of the legislative assembly, the first elected authority after four decades under slain strongman Muammar Qadaffy
... who had more funny outfits than Louis XIV...
, witnesses said.
"More than 100 protesters from Zawiyah demonstrated at the General National Congress today because they don't have representatives in the (proposed) cabinet," said Salah Hassan, a member of the 200-seat assembly.
GNC representatives begun discussing late Thursday the government line-up presented by elected Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagur, which omitted members of the main liberal coalition. The assembly must approve each individual minister.In their opening remarks, which were broadcast live, several representatives called for greater security, saying it was impossible to undertake the task of forming a new government under pressure or threats.
"This sets a dangerous precedent," said one congressman.
"They just marched in without anybody stopping them," said another.
One representative pinned the blame on Abu Shagur, saying it was the prime minister's failure to put forward a real coalition government which sparked an angry reaction on the streets.
The line-up has come under fire due to the absence of strong or well-known personalities as well as the carry over of four ministers who had served in the previous cabinet.