Libya Constitutional Court dissolves parliament

Libya’s Constitutional Court has announced the dissolution of the country’s UN-backed parliament amid the continued operation of another legislature in the capital, Tripoli.

The court, which announced the decision on Thursday, had been asked to rule over the constitutionality of the House of Representatives, as the parliament is known.

Under the Libyan constitution, parliament sessions must be held in the city of Benghazi and the power transfer ceremony in the capital, Tripoli.

The parliament, however, is based in the city of Tobruk. Libya’s government and the parliament buildings moved to the city after an armed group from the town of Misrata seized the capital and most government institutions in August.

The new Tripoli rulers have set up a government as well as a rival legislature.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.