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By Maha Ellawati.
Benghazi, 10 April 2013:
Tribal leaders and representatives from the eastern Libya have demanded that any quasi-military organisation that is . . .[restrict]not part of the army of the police be disbanded “by force if necessary”. Meeting in Benghazi yesterday, Tuesday, they said that members of any militia that is not under state control or that is “obstructing the process of state building” should be arrested. Militias occupying a barracks or government premises must be removed. The army, they said, should return to barracks and the police to their posts; both should be provided with all the support needed.
Pledging full support for Ali Zeidan’s government, the tribal leaders also insisted that no one other than members of the armed forces and the police be allowed to possess weapons.
The elders also said that force should be used against anyone who impedes the country’s political reconstruction. They proposed a new social covenant under which no one would seek revenge if a family member were killed as a consequence of action against the reconstruction of the state.
Meeting in the city’s Venezia hall, they also called for all judicial and court officials to return to work and likewise be provided full support. [/restrict]
