Ten Libyan cities that were under the control of the non-recognised government of Tripoli have pledged their support to the UN-backed unity government. 

This comes as a major blow to the unrecognised authority in Tripoli that is refusing to give up power. In response, they have branded the UN-backed prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj "illegal", demanding he leave or surrender. 

Libya has had two administrations since mid-2014, when the militia alliance overran Tripoli, setting up its own authority and forcing the internationally-recognised parliament to flee to the country's remote east.