Libya's new military chief of staff - appointed by parliament on Tuesday - is a commander who fought during the 2011 conflict that ousted former leader Moamer Gaddafi, state television reported, dpa reported.
Colonel Abdul Salam JadAllah al-Salheen replaces General Youssef al-Mangoush, who resigned in June after more than 30 people were killed in clashes between a militia group and protesters in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Benghazi, the birthplace of the anti-Gaddafi uprising, has seen several deadly clashes and blasts in recent months, as Libya's leaders struggle to re-establish security in the North African country almost two years after Gaddafi's ouster.
More than 1,000 inmates broke out of a prison near Benghazi Saturday as protesters stormed political party offices.
Protests were triggered by the killing on Friday of a prominent anti-Islamist rights activist, Abdel-Salam al-Mesmari, in Benghazi.
On Monday, security forces defused 12 bombs inside a car parked outside a luxury hotel in the capital, Tripoli, the Interior Ministry reported.