Members of UN-imposed government scuffled on Tuesday during a heated debate over selection of cabinet ministers, reports say, as the 9-member Presidency Council deadlocked over the position of defense minister.

The reports claimed that some members pushed and shoved each other over some government portfolios, while Ali Al-Gotrani, a strong ally of renegade General Khalifa Haftar, slapped Ahmed Mitig in the face for comments he made about Haftar.

On Monday, Al-Gotrani revealed that members of the Presidency Council are in complete disagreement over the posts.

The 3 Members of the eastern region have requested the position of defense minister, but a consensual figure for this post is still a dilemma. Fathi Al-Mijbri and Mohammed Amari proposed Al-Mihdi Al-Baraghati as defense minister, but Ali Al-Gotrani strongly refuses this. He still clings to his icon Khalifa Haftar or another figure to be accepted by Haftar himself.

Colonel Al-Mihdi Al-Baraghati is one of Dignity Operation field commanders but he is at odds with Khalifa Haftar, the top commander and founder of the operation. CIA-linked Khalifa Haftar wants a military figure for the position of defense minister who is fully obedient to his orders, since his name is not accepted.

Tobruk Parliament extended on Tuesday the deadline given the Presidency Council to form the cabinet until February 14. If failed to form the cabinet, Tobruk Parliament would request another Presidency Council.

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