TRIPOLI, Libya — The main stage in Martyrs' Square, the Libyan capital's central plaza, has been plastered with signs.
No to carrying weapons, they read. No to randomly firing bullets and rockets. No to the continued military presence here and in other liberated cities.
The signs reflect the concerns of residents, who say they are fed up with the militias that have taken over the streets of Tripoli in the past two months.
"We are not feeling safe," said Aman Sad, 38, a nurse walking in the square. "The ones who are carrying weapons are young men who are not trained."
No to carrying weapons, they read. No to randomly firing bullets and rockets. No to the continued military presence here and in other liberated cities.
The signs reflect the concerns of residents, who say they are fed up with the militias that have taken over the streets of Tripoli in the past two months.
"We are not feeling safe," said Aman Sad, 38, a nurse walking in the square. "The ones who are carrying weapons are young men who are not trained."
But
asking revolutionaries to leave town after a revolution is a
delicate matter, especially for a government still fighting on at
least two fronts. As it works to create a cohesive national army,
Libya's Transitional National Council must also find a place for the
thousands of men who formed separate brigades that were
instrumental in toppling autocrat Moammar Gaddafi.
The council must do so while facing internal struggles over issues such as how closely to hew to Islamic vs. secular ideologies, what to do with people associated with the old government and how to satisfy towns that lost many fighters and are demanding a greater say in the new order.
Since sweeping into Tripoli in August, out-of-town revolutionaries have been striding
The council must do so while facing internal struggles over issues such as how closely to hew to Islamic vs. secular ideologies, what to do with people associated with the old government and how to satisfy towns that lost many fighters and are demanding a greater say in the new order.
Since sweeping into Tripoli in August, out-of-town revolutionaries have been striding
around
with Kalashnikovs and pistols that they sometimes fire skyward in
displays of bravado. Residents of the capital are tiring of them, and
skirmishes have erupted between outside brigades and Tripoli
fighters, who say they can secure the city on their own.
The head
of Tripoli's military council, Abdulhakim Belhadj, called this week for
unauthorized militias to leave the city. But some brigade members
say they do not recognize him as their leader.And with a national army that is in the process of reforming and has no commander, some say the militias' presence is necessary.
If the outside brigades leave Tripoli, "car bombs will go off the next day," said Mohamed Benrasali, a council member from Misurata who leads Libya's civilian stabilization team.
Waiting for Sirte to fall
Benrasali said the TNC plans to move the brigades and heavy weaponry into barracks on the outskirts of Tripoli, while about 5,000 lightly armed, uniformed troops who will secure strategic areas and 3,000 others who will help carry out policing duties will remain in the city. Similar forces will be placed in other cities and will remain until there is an elected government, he said.
Libya moved one step closer to that objective this week when its leaders announced that they plan to declare the country liberated upon the fall of Sirte, Gaddafi's home town, even if fighting continues in other parts. At that point, an interim government will be established, leading toward a constitution and elections.
Benrasali said the TNC plans to move the brigades and heavy weaponry into barracks on the outskirts of Tripoli, while about 5,000 lightly armed, uniformed troops who will secure strategic areas and 3,000 others who will help carry out policing duties will remain in the city. Similar forces will be placed in other cities and will remain until there is an elected government, he said.
Libya moved one step closer to that objective this week when its leaders announced that they plan to declare the country liberated upon the fall of Sirte, Gaddafi's home town, even if fighting continues in other parts. At that point, an interim government will be established, leading toward a constitution and elections.
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