Ahmed Miitig, a businessman backed by Islamists, was named Libya's new prime minister on Sunday after winning a vote in parliament, a parliamentary official announced.

After a chaotic session of the General National Congress (GNC), Miitig was initially reported to have mustered only 113 votes of 120 votes needed under the constitution in a vote of confidence.

But GNC official Salah al-Makhzoum later said Miitig had in fact clinched 121 votes in the 185-seat interim parliament, apparently after a recount, beating off challenger Omar al-Hassi, a university professor.