TRIPOLI: The Libyan Parliament on Sunday began hearing seven candidates who are vying to replace prime minister Abdullah Al-Thani who quit last week just days after his appointment.

Thani announced he was stepping down on April 13, five days after the General National Congress, or Parliament, tasked him with forming a new Cabinet, saying he had been the victim of an attack.

He had replaced Ali Zeidan, who was ousted a month earlier by the GNC, Libya’s highest political authority, for failing to rein in the lawlessness gripping the country.

Members of the GNC, were due to hear the candidates present their program of government on Sunday, but no date had been fixed for the vote.

The winner needs to secure 120 votes out of 200.