Rebel leader, Haftar gets widespread mandate to rule

Rebel leader and Libya's General, Khalifa Haftar has accepted the "popular mandate" from the people to govern the country.

He made this disclosure in a televised address on Monday. But he did not offer details of what the new structure would look like, the Reuters news agency reports.

Prior to now, the General and his forces have been waging war against the UN-backed government in the capital Tripoli, to enforce an indigenous take-over.

"We announce that the general command is answering the will of the people, despite the heavy burden and the many obligations and the size of the responsibility, and we will be subject to the people's wish," Gen Haftar was quoted as saying.

He promised to "put in place the necessary conditions to build the permanent institutions of a civil state," according to AFP news agency.

Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, BBC reports.

Forces loyal to Gen Haftar have been trying to capture Tripoli and its surrounding areas for more than a year.