Libyans Protest Against Out-Of-Control Militias
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) -- Dozens of protesters marched in Libya's capital Friday, demonstrating against the out-of-control militias plaguing the country after a late-night battle between two warring factions in Tripoli killed three people.
Protesters said they'd give militias stationed in the capital three days before marching on their headquarters and forcing them out.
Raising banners that read "Tripoli without weaponry." protesters called upon the interim government to implement an earlier decision to bring the militias under control. The militias face an end-of-year deadline to disband or join the Libyan security forces, at the risk of losing their government salaries.
After the killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, former rebels formed armed groups to provide protection amid a security vacuum. They later mushroomed in number and now fight over power and influence.
The protests came after intense clashes erupted Thursday night between two rival militias in the heart of Tripoli. The head of Tripoli City Council, al-Sadat al-Badri, told reporters that the clashes killed three people and left four others in critical condition.
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