Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan on Wednesday (May 8th) vowed to change his cabinet.
"There will no doubt be a ministerial reshuffle in the coming days," he told reporters in Tripoli.
The announcement comes days after the General National Congress (GNC) passed a "political isolation law" barring Kadhafi-era officials from government posts.
Zidan and GNC President Mohamed Magarief were diplomats under Kadhafi before joining the opposition in exile. Once the GNC's legal commission approves the legislation, at least four ministers and 15 legislators could be out of work.
Defence Minister Mohammed al-Barghati resigned Tuesday before reversing his decision at the urging of the prime minister.
"The government will accurately implement decisions issued by the GNC and the political isolation law," Zidan declared. "The government will determine those on whom the law will be applied."
The political isolation law "is only a precautionary measure dictated by the interests of the state to protect the revolution and its continuity", he added.
"It's only a temporary situation for a certain period of time so the pillars of revolution can be strengthened and the revolution can be protected against risks," the prime minister said. "We're in an interim period that will end with the issue of permanent constitution and formation of the government."
The prime minister also commented on the militiamen surrounding the foreign and justice ministries in Tripoli, who are demanding authorities purge officials linked to the former regime, among other issues.
"We don't have militias, but revolutionaries," Zidan said. "They have their own opinions, which we respect and appreciate."
Some of the revolutionaries have demanded that Zidan leave office.
The prime minister added: "In this post-revolution era, we still need to establish the culture and pillars of dialogue."
Protesters in military uniform still remained outside the foreign and justice ministries on Thursday, according to Libya Herald.
"Some of them are now trying to correct and repair what has taken place," Zidan said, adding that he hoped for "a total withdrawal very soon" and reiterating that force would not be used.
Residents living around the foreign ministry in central Tripoli have protested in front of the building against the presence of weapons in their neighbourhood.
A day before Zidan's press conference, GNC spokesman Omar Hamidan denied that voting on the political isolation law was done under the threat of arms.
"The law was not issued under duress," he said. "We voted on it out of our conviction that it is in the interest of this country."
Hamidan announced the start of administrative measures for the implementation of the political isolation law by June 5th.
In her turn, Majeda al-Fallah, a GNC member representing the Muslim Brotherhood, said the isolation law would be superseded by the new Libyan constitution.
"A committee was formed to prepare for the election of the constitution-drafting committee, including three members of the GNC and 16 others from outside the GNC according to constituencies," al-Fallah said. "Most of them would be legists so they can draft the election law."
"The election law will be submitted to us within a week," she added.
© Magharebia.com 2013
