Composition of Libya's transitional government may be announced Wednesday - The composition of Libya's transitional government may be announced Wednesday, after the return from New York of the National Transitional Council (NTC) President Mustapha Abdeljelil, PANA reported. The announcement had been scheduled for Sunday but was postponed indefinitely, allegedly due to differences over the allocation of key ministries, including interior, oil, finance, defence, foreign Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister.

However. a local radio station in Tripoli quotes an unnamed source as saying the transition government would comprise 22 ministers representing many regions.

According to the source, Ali Tarhouni, previously in charge of Petroleum and Finance, will be appointed deputy prime minister, while the departments of Finance and Petroleum will become two separate entities.

It said the expert in international organizations responsible for the Middle East issue at the UN, Mohamed Abdelaziz, would be appointed foreign minister, while Osama Al-Jouly from Jabal AlGharbi region will be in charge of defence.

The NTC, formed to shepherd the rebellion that toppled the country's government, will remain in power until general elections are held next year.

The NTC has yet to gain control of the entire country, as fighting rages in Beni Walid, 180 km South-east of Tripoli, Sirte (center of the country) and Sabha (the southern capital).

Pana 20/09/2011