Libya's new rulers announce cabinet shakeup

AFP - Libya's new rulers Monday announced a minor shakeup of their executive, pending the formation of an interim government once the entire country is freed from Moamer Kadhafi's forces.

The changes see the scrapping of the post of deputy head of the executive plus the creation of a post of minister of martyrs and victims of the war, said Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who heads the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC).

The current head of the executive, Mahmud Jibril, retains his position as well as the post of foreign minister, Abdel Jalil told a news conference.

Other key posts are retained, including finance and oil, information and defence, he added.

"We appeal to the Libyan people to be patient because the hour of liberation is near," Abdel Jalil said.

The NTC, which has been ruling Libya since Kadhafi was toppled in a revolt last month, has postponed the formation of a transitional government until the last bastions of support for the strongman are overrun.