TRIPOLI (AFP) - Libya's new government, headed by Ahmed Miitig announced on Monday evening that it had taken office, despite the refusal of Abdullah al-Thani's cabinet to leave power.

Mr Miitig said in a statement that he had convened his ministers for the first time since his disputed election in May, amid an ongoing power struggle in Tripoli.

Mr Miitig is Libya's fifth prime minister since dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising.