Libya: Government Vows to Disarm Tripoli

The Libyan government promised to disarm Tripoli by the end of December in an attempt to rid the city of rogue rebels. Abdul Razzak Buhajar, Tripoli’s council chief, stated the government has “assured the Tripoli council that the entire city will be disarmed” after speaking with Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib. Al-Kib set a two week deadline for the rebels to either leave the city or disarm. Security forces spread throughout Tripoli on Wednesday to begin disarming, setting up roadblocks as there were some reports of sporadic violence in the city. Some residents of Tripoli demonstrated on Wednesday against the militias after some raided the office of the prosecution general.

Meanwhile, in Misrata, militias have amassed a huge stockpile of weapons, prompting a grave challenge to the new government’s authority.  Geoff Porter, a North Africa expert, stated, “The government does not have a monopoly on force in the country…without it, the state’s ability to function is jeopardized.” The large stockpiles of weapons in Misrata give the militias leverage in a fight for power with the government, which could turn violent.