By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 17 July 2013:
Exasperated by his government’s inability to bring law and order to the country, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, speaking at Sunday’s press conference, said that his government may have to “use force”.
Zeidan condemned the “selfish” behaviour and “lack of patriotism” by some Libyans in post revolution Libya. He attacked those who steal and nab in the name of the thuwar (revolutionary fighters) and those who put their personal interests above those of the nation.
“We may cut wages and sack those who strike and hold up national interests”, said Zeidan, referring to the strategic Zueitina Oil and Gas Terminal strikers who have cut off gas supplies to power stations causing wide electricity cuts in Tripoli.
The Prime Minister, who has on numerous previous occasions refused to “spill further Libyan blood” by confronting law-breakers by force in the past, seems to be on the verge of a u-turn on this controversial policy.
Up to this point, Zeidan had gone out of his way to send out conciliatory signals, preferring negotiations and discussions rather than confrontation.
It will be interesting to see if the government backed by a new GNC leader is seriously considering a change of tactics when it comes to enforcing security and law and order. [/restrict]
