Libya’s parliament voted to remove the prime minister who heads the divided nation’s eastern government, injecting a fresh dose of intrigue and uncertainty into the OPEC member’s chaotic political scene. A majority of lawmakers based in the country’s east approved removing Fathi Bashagha from office and referring him for investigation, parliament spokesman Abdulla Belheiq said Tuesday in a text message. Belheiq didn’t elaborate on the reasons for Bashagha’s removal or what prompted the decision to refer him for investigation. Home to Africa’s largest oil reserves, Libya has lurched from one crisis to the next since the 2011 civil war and overthrow of long-time strongman Moammar Al Qaddafi. Parliament’s step removes a sometime-ally of eastern-based military chief Khalifa Haftar, who fought a 2019-2020 campaign to seize the capital from a previous government and tried to run for president in 2021.
