Libya's Islamist-led parliament quietly met Tuesday to consider approving a new prime minister, defying a renegade general's demands that it disband amid desperate attempts to resolve the standoff peacefully.

Opponents accuse Hifter of seeking to grab power for himself.

The standoff has developed into a potential battle for power as many of Libya's militias line up behind either of the two camps.

On Sunday, powerful militias allied to Hifter stormed parliament and declared it suspended -- a move endorsed on Tuesday by Zidan.

The interim government ignored Hifter's declaration but, aiming to resolve the crisis, proposed that parliament find a new candidate for prime minister, then stop its work to allow for new parliament elections.

A missile mounted over a vehicle was fired at the hotel where the session was taking place in secret, caused panic but no casualties, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

Some lawmakers, especially from the non-Islamist faction, said they were not invited to the parliament meeting.

It is unclear whether parliament will approve the vote.

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