Hundreds protest against no-confidence vote in Libya govt

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Libya’s capital of Tripoli to oppose a decision by the country’s lawmakers to pass a vote of no-confidence in the transitional government

TRIPOLI, Libya -- Hundreds of protesters gathered in Libya's capital of Tripoli on Friday to oppose a decision by the country's lawmakers to pass a vote of no-confidence in the transitional government.

The motion, passed Tuesday, represents a challenge to planned December elections and impedes efforts to unite the oil-rich North African nation after a decade of turmoil.

Protesters in a central square in Tripoli waved Libyan flags, chanting that the decision did not represent them and should be overturned. They called for members of the east-based House of Representatives to step down.

Libya's current transitional government replaced two rival administrations — one based in the country’s east and another in the west — that had ruled Libya for years. Its main goal has been preparing the country for elections by Dec. 24. But politicians have failed to finalize elections laws dictating how the vote will be conducted.