Head of Libya's new national assembly pledges neutrality
TRIPOLI — The head of Libya's newly-empowered national assembly Mohamed al-Megaryef pledged on Friday to remain neutral and seek to unite ranks in the country, where post-revolution divisions are still deep.
"My main duty is to stand aside, away from political, regional and tribal considerations," Megaryef said as he presided over the first official meeting of the General National Congress.
Speaking just a day after he was elected head of the 200-seat assembly, Megaryef, who is seen as pro-Islamist, announced that he will quit as president of the Libyan National Salvation Front.
Megaryef, a veteran opponent of slain Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi's ousted regime, defeated liberal independent Ali Zidane in a run-off by 113 votes to 85.
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