Updated | Libyan Prime Minister dismisses ‘coup’ attempt

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has dismissed the attempted 'coup' by a veteran army general, and resured that the "situation is under control." Reportedly Zeidan has also issued an order to arrest Khalifa Hiftar, the Libyan military commander who this morning called for the suspension of the interim parliament and the formation of a presidential committee to govern until new elections are held.

In a televised statement, Zeidan denounced the 'coup' and said that the General National Council - the legislative authority of Libya - and his government are still in control.

Al Arabiya News reported that Zeidan sai "The government is working like normal, and the situation in the country is under control."

Zeidan vowed that his government "will not allow anyone to hijack the revolution" that toppled Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and that the people, not the army are the sole deciders of the country's future.

A spokesperson for the GNC reportedly said "He (Haftar) doesn't represent the army," stressing that the general was not even in Tripoli and the capital was "secure."

Libyan defense minister Abdulah al-Thani was reported by local media as saying that a military coup had been foiled.

Thani said the coup was an attempt to oust Libya's government and parliament, which are struggling to create a ruling military council after the country is awash with heavily-armed former rebels and Islamist militants who helped oust the former regime.

Libyan Congress members are also dismissing Haftar's statement, claiming that the general does not wield any influence on the weak Libyan army.

@vesvol @ferasbosalum reports that his force are still in western #Tripoli #Haftar #Coup #Libya — Mohanid Elghadi مهند (@MElghadi) February 14, 2014

Major General Khalifa Haftar was a leading figure in the 2011 revolution against Muammar Gaddafi. It is not clear how much influence he has within the nascent army in a country where militias still hold considerable sway.

MORE CNN: The man who left Virginia to lead Libya's rebels

"The national command of the Libyan army is declaring a movement for the new road map," Haftar said in a statement in which he said the armed forces were calling for the country to be "rescued" from its upheaval.

"We will hold meeting with different parties and groups regarding implementing this roadmap," he said.

There were no immediate signs of any troop movements or activity outside the parliament in Tripoli, the prime minister's office or any ministries.

The American ambassador to Libya, Deborah Safira, said there was "no substance" to Haftar's declaration.

All available information suggests no substance to Colonel Haftar's declaration. — Safira Deborah (@SafiraDeborah) February 14, 2014

Last week, Libyan premier Ali Zeidan landed in Malta for an overnight stay while his country was experiencing trouble as the third-year anniversary of the 17 February revolution.

Tweets on the Libyan coup

"The national command of the Libyan army is declaring a movement for the new road map" says the man many recently accused of plotting a coup — Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) February 14, 2014

Hiftar, who defected after Chad war, moved to US & returned to #Libya during 2011 uprising, is the man some accuse of plotting a coup 2/2 — Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) February 14, 2014

BREAKING: Gen Khalifa Heftir announces five-point roadmap: http://t.co/7X1YuHiWRS #Libya — Good Morning Libya (@Morning_LY) February 14, 2014