Ferry is New Home to Libyan Parliament

Libya's Parliament has run out of places to meet after escaping from militant occupation. The group has been forced to take refuge aboard a Greek car ferry in Tobruk harbor.

The small port is now the site of Libyan government power and sessions. Islamist rebels having captured Tripoli, Benghazi, Derna and other cities. Parliament now lives and works aboard the Elyros liner, which typically carries cars and passengers between Greece and Italy.

The 17,000-ton Elyros has been deployed, complete with its Greek crew, as a last-minute floating hotel for the embattled legislature in the Libyan city that is last stop before the Egyptian border.

The country’s leaders only had three days to prepare everything in Tobruk – including finding meeting and housing space to installing Internet.

About 115 of the 200 Parliament members are currently aboard the ship; there are some unfilled seats, a few because of boycotts. Intimidation and logistical issues have caused the rest of the absences, reports UPI.

It is unknown how government officials and their families will stay aboard the ship. They are using this time to build up their army, security and to develop skills to run the country.