According to a source close to him, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah survived an assassination attempt early on Thursday.

According to the source, the shooters struck as Mr. Dbeibah returned home and then fled, describing the attack as an attempt to assassinate the prime minister. The Incident has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

Reuters could not get images or video evidence of the incident or its aftermath due to the absence of other witnesses.

The episode occurs during an acute conflict over control of Libya's government.

Mr. Dbeibah has stated that he will disregard a vote slated for later Thursday by the eastern-based parliament to replace him.

Parliamentarians are expected to choose between Fathi Bashagha, 59, a prominent former interior minister, and Khaled Al Bibass, 51, a former interior ministry officer.

In recent weeks, armed forces have increased troop presence in Tripoli's capital, raising fears of conflict sparked by the political crisis.

The assassination attempt, if proven, might exacerbate tensions.

Libya has seen little peace or stability since the 2011 rebellion against Muammar Qaddafi, backed by NATO. In 2014, the country was torn apart by warring factions in the east and west.

In March, Mr. Dbeibah was appointed leader of the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU) with the mission of uniting the country's split institutions and supervising the run-up to a December election as part of a peace process.

Rival factions have been jockeying for positions following the collapse of the election process due to disagreements over rules, notably the legitimacy of Mr. Dbeibah's presidential campaign following his commitment not to run.

The parliament, which largely sided with eastern forces throughout the civil war, has declared the GNU illegal and will vote on Thursday to appoint a new prime minister to create a new government.

Mr. Dbeibah stated this week in a speech that he would relinquish power only following an election, and both the UN's Libya envoy and Western governments have indicated that they continue to recognize the GNU.

This week, the parliament announced that no elections would be placed this year after amending the country's interim constitution with another political entity, shocking the large number of Libyans who had registered to vote.

The parliament's decision to elect a new prime minister may result in a return to the situation that existed before the installation of Mr. Dbeibah's unity government, with parallel administrations vying for control of Libya from various cities.

However, analysts assert that this will not necessarily result in a return to civil conflict.