Former Libyan official gives up candidacy for national unity government

Former Libyan prime minister Ali Zidan announced Monday he would give up candidacy for the prime minister's post in the Libyan hoped-for national unity government.

In statements, Zidan said the south bloc of the parliament nominated him for the post and that he accepted to take responsibility on condition of being the only nominee for the post.

Now that there were a number of candidates, I preferred to withdraw, he said without giving more details.

Two rival governments are fighting each other in Libya and unable to gain the upper hand, while former rebel groups that helped topple late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 compete for power, creating a security vacuum.

Source: MENA