Libya's NTC poised for power transfer

Libya's National Transitional Council was to hand power later to a new assembly in a symbolic move marking the first peaceful transition of power after more than 40 years of rule by the late Muammar Gaddafi.
NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil will pass the reins to the oldest member of the 200-seat legislative assembly elected on July 7 at a late-evening ceremony, with the time chosen because of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month when believers fast until dusk.
The ceremony is due to get under way at 2100 GMT.
Representatives of civil society groups and diplomatic missions in Libya, as well as NTC and government officials, are due to attend the ceremony.
The General National Congress, the outcome of last month's ballot, will be tasked with choosing a new interim government to take over from the NTC, and will steer the country until fresh elections can be held, based on a new constitution, to be drafted by a constituent authority of 60 members.
Of the 200 assembly members, the lion's share of seats has been set aside for individual candidates whose loyalties and ideologies remain unclear but who are being wooed by various blocs.
Out of the parties, which hold 80 of the 200 seats, the liberal coalition of 2011 wartime premier Mahmud Jibril performed best, securing 39 seats on its own.
The Justice and Construction Party, launched by Libya's Muslim Brotherhood, came second with 17 seats. But its leader, Mohammed Sawan, says the party can even the score by bringing independent candidates to its side.