Thousands of demonstrators rallied Friday in support of a rogue former general whose forces have launched a "dignity" campaign to crush jihadist militias in eastern Libya.

Ex-general Khalifa Haftar has garnered growing support amid frustration at the lawlessness in Libya three years after the overthrow of veteran strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

Western powers on Friday appealed for a peaceful transition in Libya, voicing alarm over the chaos and violence a month before elections.

Britain, France and the United States -- the three powers who led the 2011 attacks that ousted strongman Moammar Gadhafi -- urged a "peaceful and democratic" transition in a joint statement also signed by Germany, Italy and the European Union.

The Libyan government Thursday urged all militias to withdraw from Tripoli and stay out of politics, after the parliament speaker had called for ex-rebels from Misrata to "protect the capital."

The cabinet of outgoing Prime Minister Abdallah al-Theni "issued an appeal to the chiefs of all armed brigades in Greater Tripoli" to leave the city and steer clear of politics, Culture Minister Habib Lamine said.

A Muslim group led by influential cleric Youssef al-Qaradawi, who is close to the Muslim Brotherhood, urged Libyans Thursday to firmly oppose attempts to topple "legitimacy" in their country, amid an assault by a renegade general against Islamists.

A statement by the Association of Muslim Scholars did not mention General Khalifa Haftar by name but urged Libyans to "unite" and stand "firmly against whoever tries to topple the legitimacy and sow sedition" in the country.

A renegade Libyan general who has launched an assault against Islamists has warned the country has become a "terrorist hub" and called for creation of an emergency cabinet and holding legislative elections.

Khalifa Haftar is garnering growing support among elements of the military, politicians and diplomats in a country still riven by instability three years after the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Democratic lawmakers will join their Republican colleagues on a special committee to investigate the deadly Benghazi attacks of 2012, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday.

After slamming the probe as a political stunt by House Speaker John Boehner and his Republicans earlier this month, Pelosi went back on a threat to boycott the proceedings and appointed five Democrats to the 12-seat panel.

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday rejected a final bid by Tripoli's lawyers to try slain dictator Moammar Gadhafi's son Seif al-Islam in Libya, meaning he must now be transferred to The Hague.

Seif's transfer to face charges relating to the bloody repression of the 2011 uprising that toppled his father however is a moot point as he is being held by a Libyan militia rather than any central authority in the chaos-wracked country.

The Libyan navy's chief of staff, his driver and two guards were wounded on Wednesday when gunmen attacked his convoy in Tripoli, the navy spokesman said.

Rear Admiral Hassan Abu Shnak was on his way to work when gunmen blocked his convoy in a western district of the capital and opened fire, Colonel Ayub Kassem told Agence France Presse.

A Chinese construction engineer has been killed by unidentified gunmen in Libya's restive second city Benghazi, medical and security sources said on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old was shot dead on Tuesday just four days after an offensive led by a former rebel commander to purge the city of Islamist militia left 79 people dead.

Libya's electoral commission announced Tuesday that polls will take place on June 25 to elect a new parliament to replace the contested General National Congress, Lana state news agency said.

Successive governments have complained that the GNC's claim to executive power as well as legislative authority has tied their hands in bringing to heel former rebel militias blamed for growing unrest in the North African country since the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed long-time strongman Moammar Gadhafi.