New Libya unity government to be proposed 'within 10 days'

A revamped Libyan unity government will be proposed within 10 days, an official said Tuesday, after the internationally recognised parliament rejected an initial lineup in a major setback to peace efforts.

World powers have urged Libya's warring factions to endorse the unity government formed last week under a UN-brokered deal aimed at ending political paralysis that has fuelled the rise of jihadists.

But the internationally recognised legislature, based in eastern Libya, on Monday voted against supporting the proposed 32-minister cabinet headed by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj.

Sarraj will present a new "more restrained" unity government for approval by the recognised parliament, said Fathi Ben-Issa, adviser to the unity government.

"We will respect the deadline of 10 days," he added.

Lawmakers criticised the government as too large and also objected to an article in the UN-brokered accord giving the cabinet the power to approve top security and military positions.

Shrinking the cabinet complicates the task of accommodating the demands of the country's multiple political groups and militias.

Several countries, including the United States and European nations such as Italy and France, are ready to provide military aid to help fight jihadists but want to see a unity government set up first.

Libya, which is awash with weapons following the toppling and death of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, is now home to two rival parliaments as well as armed groups fighting to control its oil wealth.