(VOVworld) – Libya's new government, headed by Ahmed Miitig, announced on Monday that it had taken office, despite the refusal of Abdullah al-Thani's cabinet to leave power.

Newly elect Prime Minister Ahmed Maitiq (in the middle) and cabinet members in a press conference in Tripoli following a sworn-in ceremony (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Addressing a press conference following the first meeting at the headquarters, Miitig said his new government can begin working after regaining the government building, with the support of the police forces, and convene the first cabinet session there. Eighteen ministers of the new cabinet were present at the press briefing.

Miitig, a businessman from Misrata city, was sworn in last month and has been Libya’s fifth prime minister since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.

Currently apart from Prime Minister Miitig and outgoing Premier Thani Ali Zeidan, who used to be dismissed by Parliament in March, still insists that he is Libya’s legitimate Prime Minister. The Libyan Parliament has been divided between different interest groups since demonstrations took place in 2011. Libya doesn’t have an effective military force to control both those who participated in overthrowing Gaddafi’s administrations and the Islamic militias.