Libya sets deadline for militias to disarm

Libyas interim government, under pressure to disarm Tripoli and restore the country after months of civil war, has given regional militias lingering in the capital until late December to hand over security and go home, officials said.Nearly two months after Muammar Gaddafi was killed, the new government is still unable to impose its authority on the ground, leaving security in the hands of militias who answer only to themselves and often wage turf wars with their rivals.Miftah Khalid, a local militia members in Tripoli, said many were getting out of control.We were near the plastic surgery hospital, they started shouting us, we solved the problem at first, then they went to al-Rejban and brought heavy machine guns. We were here securing the street and they killed our colleague, his name is Osama Etahir Ezawi. He was telling everyone: Just calm down. Then they killed him, he said.Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib has met officials from Tripolis local council to discuss ways of sending home hundreds of out-of-town fighters who have taken a pseudo-police force in the capital, setting up checkpoints across the city.Another local militia member, Abd Erahman Babai, said the time had come for non-residents of the capital to make their bags, and for higher powers to get involved if necessary.We need interference from the military council, we dont want the outsiders coming here with heavy machine guns scaring people and neighbours with these heavy machine guns, we need a solution and Tripoli must be protected by Tripoli people, he said.Recent spats of violence have demonstrated that militias remain the biggest threat to Libyas security despite attempts by the newly formed government to get them under control.On Tuesday, protesters blocked off several streets in Tripoli, demanding that fighters from other parts of the country pull out of the capital.It was not clear how the interim government planned to persuade the militiamen to leave, or what would happen if they refused but added there were plans to integrate them in state security forces if they wanted to.Interior Minister Fawzi Abd Al All told Reuters that fully clearing Tripoli of weapons was a national task and all ministries, particularly defence, had to take part, but added that the process would need huge preparations.Now Tripoli needs reorganization to reduce the numbers of military forces from all over Libya and reorganise the check points in different parts related to any ministries, he said.Its thought that Tripoli residents will hold a rally on Wednesday in the central Martyrs Square to support initiatives to clear Tripoli of weapons and call for out-of-town fighters to leave.Abd Al All added that any protests were not ideal, but hopefully a sign that these problems were drawing to a close.About closing the streets, it is sign of protest, it is for sure not the ideal way but we think it is done peacefully and now there is lot of commanders in Tripoli working to end this, he said.