Benghazi, 26 July:
Benghazi residents have been voluntarily surrendering weapons following an appeal from security forces earlier in the month.
Security forces . . .[restrict]at the Essaigha barracks appealed to young men and families to hand over weapons in their possession in a bid to tighten security in the city. The Libyan National Army are offering compensation for returned arms.
Libya has been overrun with privately-held weapons since the Revolution, when thousands of assault rifles, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns were taken from Qaddafi’s military stockpiles.
This is not the first time Benghazi citizens have taken action against weapons. In April, there was a 300-strong demonstration in the city imploring militia groups to lay down their weapons. [/restrict]
