The Libyan Constitutional Court has ruled that the election of Prime Minister Ahmed Miitig was unconstitutional.

Sadik Al-Soor, spokesman for the Libyan general prosecutor, told the BBC that the decision was final. He added that the court made ​​its decision after members of the National Council claimed Miitig's election was unconstitutional.

Al-Hussein Ben Karim, a researcher on Libyan political affairs, told Ahram Online that Miitig would probably try to find a political settlement and would not resort to violence.

He said Miitig would have to comply with the court's decision.

The government of Abdullah Al-Thani will return as a caretaker government according to the law, Ben Karim added.

As AFP reported on Monday, outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thani had refused to recognise Miitig's government, saying he would await the court's decision before handing over power.

The ruling will be examined by the administrative court later on Monday, lawyers said.

Thani announced his resignation earlier this year after an armed attack on his family, but he insisted that his successor should be chosen by a new parliament rather than its contested predecessor and refused to recognise Miitig's cabinet.

After refusing to hand over power, Thani convened his cabinet last week as Miitig's government held its first session, reportedly in a luxury hotel since his predecessor was occupying the seat of government.

The political standoff allowed rogue general Khalifa Haftar to launch an offensive against Islamists in the restive eastern city of Benghazi.

Ben Karim said it would be better for all parties to accept the court ruling because violence will do nothing but exacerbate the crisis.

Amina Al-Megherby, an ex-member of the general conference, told Ahram Online that a conflict could have occurred if the general conference had rejected the decision of the constitutional court.

There is little prospect of violence breaking out in the streets as the majority doubts Miitig 's government, Al-Megherby added.