Libya assembly approves new cabinet

Libya's national assembly gave its approval on Wednesday to a cabinet line-up proposed by prime minister designate Ali Zeidan, a day after protesters derailed a vote, state media reported. "The General National Congress gives its confidence to the government of Ali Zeidan," the official LANA news agency reported. A total of 105 members voted in favour, 18 abstained and nine voted against, state television said. Zeidan, the second prime minister designate to try to form a government since the assembly was elected in July, had presented a 30-member line-up including both liberals and Islamists. Protesters stormed the assembly on Tuesday derailing a first attempt to vote on the government. Demonstrators have managed to force their way into the assembly building on more than one occasion since it was elected, highlighting the vulnerability of the country's transition to democracy since the overthrow and killing of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi last year. Zeidan's programme puts heavy emphasis on reforming the army and police, which remain heavily dependent on the myriad of former rebel militias that have yet to be brought under unified command since the uprising.