Zarrug, a former volleyball player, was elected after winning 42 votes, comfortably beating rivals Essam Fathi al-Sharif, and Mohammad Zarouk al-Sharif, who got 13 and seven votes respectively.

The 57-year-old Zarrung, a member of the Governing Board of the Arab Volleyball Confederation, replaces Noureddine Krekshi.

He had held the position on an interim basis after the previous President, Nabil Elalem, had been effectively sacked following an investigation by Libya's Integrity Commission because of his alleged links to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, the country's controversial leader who was killed in 2010 following an uprising.

His predecessor Ahmed Nabil al-Taher al-Alam had been kidnapped and held hostage for a week in 2012 by gunmen. 

He had replaced Mohammed Gaddafi, a son of the late Libyan leader, after he fled to Algeria in 2011 following the death of his father.  

Libya's flagbearer El-Gadi Sofyan during the Opening Ceremony of London 2012
©Getty Images

Krekshi will remain involved with the LOC after being elected to the 12-person Board.

The LOC was founded in 1962 and the country made its Olympic debut at Tokyo two years. 

They have competed in every Games since Seoul 1988 but are still waiting to win their first medal.

At London 2012 they were represented by a team of five athletes who competed in four sports.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2014: Secretary general of Libyan Olympic Committee to step down