After a chaotic day that saw Libya pick a new prime minister only for the vote be declared invalid hours later , the volatile North African country appears to have a new premier -- the fifth in more than two years . The General National Congress , Libya 's transitional parliament , seemed to have selected a new prime minister on Sunday , choosing businessman Ahmad Mitig during a lively legislative session that saw several rounds of voting . But almost as soon as Mitig was sworn in , the deputy speaker declared the election invalid . On Monday , the Congress confirmed Mitig as Libya 's new prime minister after approving his appointment . `` Ahmad Mitig was appointed head of the transitional government , and asked to form his cabinet and present it to the GNC for a confidence vote within 15 days , '' said a decision signed by Congress Speaker Nuri Abu Sahmein . `` This decision is in effect from date of publication ... and anything that contradicts it is nullified and all those concerned must implement it . '' The resolution was numbered as `` No . 38 '' and dated May 4 but published Monday . Given Sunday 's dispute , it was unclear what exactly would happen next . The appointment makes the 42-year-old businessman Libya 's fifth and youngest premier since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 revolution . But the confusion was another blow to a transitional government that has struggled to impose its authority over myriad militia groups that have grown in power and influence since the NATO-backed uprising . Parliament 's work has been undermined by internal squabbling and threatened by the North African country 's fractious militias , many of whom fought to oust Gadhafi but have refused to lay down their arms . Sunday 's vote was the latest in several attempts to choose a prime minister . Another vote was abandoned last week when armed men stormed congressional headquarters , sending lawmakers fleeing . It took two rounds of voting before Mitig emerged as the front-runner for the post on Sunday , but he fell short of the 120 votes required in a confidence vote . A power struggle soon erupted in the assembly , with officials giving contradictory versions of the outcome . Second Deputy Speaker Saleh al-Makhzoum said Mitig had clinched 121 votes after voting resumed . But First Deputy Speaker Ezzedin al-Awami , who had chaired the first vote , said it was illegal , as he had already declared the session over . Both men could be seen arguing in the chamber on television . Al-Awami took the role of acting speaker during Sunday 's session . Abu Sahmein , who usually chairs parliamentary sessions , disappeared from public view after the prosecutor general reportedly launched an investigation into a leaked video showing him being questioned over a late-night visit by two women to his house . The premier 's post became vacant after interim prime minister Abdullah al-Thinni resigned last month , citing an attack by gunmen on his family just a month into his term . He continued as caretaker premier until his successor was picked . He had taken over from Ali Zeidan , who fled the country after he was ousted by deputies over his failure to stop attempts by rebels in the volatile east to sell oil independently of Tripoli 's government . Many Libyans in the oil-producing nation blame political infighting for a lack of progress in Libya 's fragile nascent democracy after more than 40 years of one-man rule . A new constitution is in the works -- a process that has been repeatedly delayed by political wrangling -- but many are increasingly frustrated with the lack of economic progress and deteriorating security . To appease the rising popular discontent , the Congress has agreed to hold early elections this year for a new legislature that would also produce a new government .
Ahmad Mitig confirmed by Congress as fifth prime minister since end of 2011 uprising . He was sworn in on Saturday and is expected to be the country's first leader from outside parliament for more than a decade. Tripoli government struggling to impose order in country awash with weapons . Many Libyans angry at slow democratic progress , worsening security .