Libya's NTC hands power to new assembly

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, chairman of the Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) speaks during the handover ceremony of power to the national congress in Tripoli, August 8, 2012. Libya's ruling council handed over power to a newly elected national assembly on Wednesday in the North African country's first peaceful transition of power in its modern history but which comes amid heightened violence. [Photo/Agencies]

TRIPOLI - Libya's National Transitional Council on Wednesday handed over power to the newly elected national assembly in a ceremony and the assembly is due to begin its work a week from now, according to the official LANA news agency.

"The National Transitional Council hands over the constitutional duties for leading the state to the general national congress, which from now on is the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people," NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said.

The assembly will name a new prime minister who will pick his government, pass laws and steer Libya to full parliamentary elections after a new constitution is drafted next year.

Representatives of civil society groups and diplomatic missions in Libya, as well as NTC and government officials, attended the ceremony.