Salem Jouha, reportedly a military commander from Misurata is to be assigned the ministry of defence in the new Libya interim government it has emerged. He has reportedly been named for the portfolio Sunday by Mahmoud Jibril, the intrim prime minister and chairman of the National Transitional Council, who also named other members of the cabinet.

Jibril, who has been heavily criticised both locally and by the international media, will keep his post as prime minister for the next eight months. Ali Tarhouni, the former oil minister, will be elevated to deputy prime minister, Al Jazeera reported.

Jouha's appontment is bound to please Islamist factions. It was thanks to Misuratis, who displayed great courage in the seven months of the conflict. They put up fierce resistance during the fighting and perceived military prowess. Misuratis have also become a powerful political force in the new Libya after Al Qathafi,