Libyan parliament spokesman declares Bashagha new PM after rival withdraws

FILE PHOTO: Fathi Bashagha, former Interior Minister, delivers a speech after submitting his candidacy papers for the upcoming presidential election at the Headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Tripoli, Libya, November 18, 2021. REUTERS/Hazem Ahmed/File Photo

TOBRUK, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's parliament spokesman on Thursday declared Fathi Bashagha as the new interim prime minister after a rival candidate withdrew, but it was not clear if the chamber had held a vote.

The incumbent, Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, has said he does not recognise the parliament's attempt to remove him, that his government remains valid and that he will not step down.

(Reporting by Ayman al-Warfali, writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Jon Boyle)