Jihadist militias are not Mr Zeidan's only problem. Equally serious is the threat from federalist militias in the oil-rich east, who have blockaded major coastal oil terminals in recent months. They are now even making plans to sell oil independently, claiming that revenues in Tripoli are being siphoned off to bankroll a takeover of central government by Islamist parties. While that may simply be an excuse to boost their own regional ambitions, Mr Zeidan's government has so far lacked the stomach to take them on. "Zeidan prefers dialogue and compromise, but many Libyans feel he is now just giving too much leeway to armed minorities," said Sami Zaptia, a prominent Tripoli journalist. "We still have fresh memories of dictatorship, but already Libyans are saying that what they need is a benign dictator. While it's said in jest, it makes a certain point."