Libya ministers released as political factions jostle for power

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

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's new parliament-backed government said on Friday that an armed group linked to rival authorities had released two of its ministers held against their will, but tensions remained high between political factions.

The office of Fathi Bashagha, the parliament's choice for prime minister, had said the two ministers were held on Thursday as they travelled by road to the swearing-in of his cabinet in the east of the country after domestic flights were grounded.