Libyan authorities to disband 'unlawful' militias



Libyan authorities to disband `unlawful` militias Zeenews Bureau

Benghazi: The Libyan authorities have decided to dissolve all militias and armed groups that did not come under state authority, reports claimed on Sunday.

The announcement was made a day after Benghazi residents rebelled against the militias in violence that killed at least 11 people and wounded over 70.

Ann announcement in this regard was made by Mohammed al-Megaryef, head of the National Assembly, in the eastern city, late yesterday.

The authorities also decided to put in place an "operations room" in Benghazi bringing together the army, forces of the Interior Ministry and Defence Ministry brigades comprising former rebels.

Libya's interim authorities have been attempting to rein in the numerous groups, which are said to have played a key role in helping topple the regime of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi last year. There have been reports of miltias carrying out abductions and killings.

The bases stormed on Friday include the headquarters of Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, which is suspected of staging the attack on a US consulate in Benghazi, in which US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stephens and three other embassy staff were killed.

The attack came amid protests over a film deemed insulting to Islam.

The group has denied any involvement in the killing of the four Americans.

Demonstrators chanted "No more Al Qaeda" and "The blood we shed for freedom shall not go in vain" as they broke into the Ansar al-Sharia compound Friday night, evicting fighters and setting a vehicle on fire.

Fighting was also reported outside the headquarters of the Rafallah Sehati brigade.

With Agency Inputs