The 42-year-old businessman Ahmed Maiteeq emerged as the front runner in Sunday's vote in the General National Congress (GNC) assembly after he beat university professor Omar al-Hassi by 73 votes to 43.

In the televised session interrupted by shouts from arguing lawmakers, only 113 members initially voted to confirm his appointment; seven votes short of the 120 quorum needed in the 185-seat assembly.

But after the session was adjourned, Libyan TV station Al-Ahrar reported that voting resumed and Maiteeq secured eight new votes.

The government of former premier Abdullah al-Thinni, who resigned three weeks ago, would stay in office until a successor is elected legally, he wrote.

Former Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani resigned three weeks ago, citing an attack by gunmen on his family.

Parliament started voting on al-Thani's successor last week but the session had to be postponed after gunmen loyal to a defeated candidate stormed the building and wounded several people.

The government agreed in February to hold early elections in an effort to resolve the disputes and violence between regional militia, former rebel and tribal groups, and Islamist militants.

Libya is a country awash with arms and militias, a legacy from the 2011 uprising which toppled Moammar Gadhafi.

jm/bk (Reuters, AFP)