New PM's election unconstitutional: Libyan Supreme Court

Libya's Supreme Court Monday ruled the election of new prime minister Ahmed Maitiq "unconstitutional", ending the prolonged dilemma over who the country's head of government is.

The court pointed to several violations recorded during the election and declared that the parliamentary vote violated the constitution, Xinhua quoted a source in the Supreme Court Constitutional Chamber as saying Monday.

"The constitutional chamber noticed a pack of law violations committed by the interim parliament, therefore there is no doubt that the election procedure and process is invalid," the source said.

The source added that all evidences and documents will be displayed in the next few days.

Maitiq responded Monday that he would respect the ruling and surrender his post, adding his decision could remind Libya's politicians to respect "the rule of law".

Second Deputy of Parliament Saleh al-Makhzoum said the General National Congress will comply with the decision.

Libya was stuck in a political deadlock due to the power struggle between the acting prime minister Abdullah Thinni and his newly-elected successor Maitiq.

Maitiq, a businessman from Libya's third largest city of Misrata, was sworn in as prime minister last month.

But he was immediately challenged by Thinni and some judicial officials who charged that the earlier parliamentary confidence vote which confirmed Maitiq as the new premier was invalid, because less than half of the lawmakers, mostly Maitiq supporters, attended the session.

Libya's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Maitiq's election violated the constitution "in principle".

But the court adjourned a final ruling on Maitiq's legitimacy to Monday.