"When I submitted my resignation, I thought I would be relieving many people. But it seems that my resignation will further complicate security and I have decided to withdraw it," Abdelali told a news conference in Tripoli.

Abdelali had resigned on Sunday after coming under fire for the performance of security forces during a surge of violence that has rocked Libya, including attacks by Islamist hardliners on shrines across the country.

"I withdraw my resignation and I am ready to continue my mission," he added.

Abdelali also slammed what he described as a "ferocious media war" waged against him.

On Sunday an aide told AFP that Abdelali quit "to protest against congressmen criticising the government and to defend the revolutionaries," referring to former rebels who now form part of the country's security services.

That same day the newly elected General National Congress, or national assembly, accused the interior ministry's High Security Committee of being lax or even implicated in the destruction of shrines, including those of Sufis.

The High Security Committee comprises ex-rebels who fought Moamer Kadhafi's forces last year in the conflict that ended in the dictator's death last October.

The rebels had taken over security in the country after the fall of Kadhafi's regime before they were integrated into the ministry of interior's forces.

Dozens of people took to the streets of Tripoli on Sunday and Monday to protest the violence, which also included double car bombings in Tripoli that killed two people as Muslims celebrated the feast of Eid al-Fitr a week ago.