Libya orders 'illegitimate' militias to disband
Head of Libya's national congress Mohammed Magarief speaks as Libya's Chief of Army staff Yusuf al-Mangoush (L) and Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour (R) stand on either side of him during a news conference in Benghazi. Magarief said state security forces had agreed to form a "security operation room" which would work to secure Benghazi by dissolving militias not under the control of the government.
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
A car burns after it was set on fire by demonstrators who attacked the base of the Rafalla al-Sihati brigade, part of the Libyan army, in Benghazi city. Islamist militia Ansar al-Sharia was driven out of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of protest against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The crowd went on to attack Rafalla al-Sihati brigade, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / Reuters
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / Reuters
An injured man, one of the demonstrators involved in the attack of pro-government Rafalla al-Sihati brigade base, receives medical treatment at a hospital in Benghazi. Islamist militia Ansar al-Sharia was driven out of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of protest against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The crowd went on to attack Rafalla al-Sihati brigade, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Members of the National Army ride in their vehicles as they enter the gates of pro-government Rafalla al-Sihati brigade after demonstrators attacked the brigade's base in Benghazi city. Islamist militia Ansar al-Sharia was driven out of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of protest against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The crowd went on to attack Rafalla al-Sihati brigade, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
A man walks out of a destroyed gate as he leaves the Rafalla al-Sihati brigade base, part of the Libyan army, after it was attacked by demonstrators in Benghazi city. Islamist militia Ansar al-Sharia was driven out of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of protest against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The crowd went on to attack Rafalla al-Sihati brigade, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Image by: ASMAA WAGUIH / REUTERS
Libya’s president has ordered the disbandment of “illegitimate” militias
The move is designed to assert state authority amid violence by armed groups including an assault on the US Consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi that killed the US ambassador.
In the late Saturday news conference, President Mohammed el-Megaref said a joint operations room in Benghazi will coordinate between the various authorized militia brigades and the army. He said others operating outside the “legitimacy of the state” are to be disbanded.
The decision came amid growing public anger at armed factions and Islamic extremists, resulting in the storming of some of their compounds by protesters.
But in the absence of strong security forces, the government relies on some militias to keep order.
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