MOSCOW, December 3 (Sputnik) — A self-proclaimed Libyan shadow General National Congress, composed of pro-Islamist politicians, had suffered a landslide defeat in the contentious June 2014 general election. In response to this loss, the pro-Islamist ministers tightened their grip, appointing Hassi as the prime minister, in a move that fragmented the country even further.
Since the overthrow and murder of the country's long-term leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been in deep crisis. Liberal forces supported by the army are fighting for power with representatives of Islamist parties supported by former anti-Gaddafi rebels.
A partial result of this struggle is the emergence of two governments in Libya. Ongoing clashes between government forces and Islamist-allied militias, some of whom are armed with weapons seized from Gaddafi government ammunition depots, have prompted many countries to evacuate their citizens and diplomatic staff.
