Libya's Parliament, escaping from the militant-occupied capital of Tripoli, has taken refuge aboard a Greek car ferry in Tobruk harbor.
The small port, where British troops stood their ground in World War II fighting Germany's Afrika Korps, is now the site of Libyan government power; Islamist rebels having captured Tripoli, Benghazi, Derna and other cities. Parliament now lives and works aboard the 17,000-ton Elyros liner, which typically carries cars and passengers between Greece and Italy.
"We had only three days to prepare everything in Tobruk, to find spaces for meetings, places to stay, Internet, everything," said Dr. Muftah Othman, leader of Tobruk's election commission. "If there is no ship, where will you stay?"
About 115 of the 200 Parliament members are present; there are some unfilled seats, a few because of boycotts. Intimidation and logistical issues have caused the rest of the absences.
It is unknown how long parliamentarians, government workers and their families will stay aboard the ship. "We need time to build up our army and security and to develop our skills to run the country," said Mohammed Ali Shuhaib, the deputy Parliament speaker.
