Libyans Protest; Jalil Promises Formation of Security Forces

On Monday, tens of thousands of Libyans gathered in Benghazi voicing their frustration with the interim government. The protesters demanded transparency from the Transitional National Council (TNC) calling for leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil  ”to make its membership and voting decisions public.” ”Abdel Jalil has lot of questions to answer. The regime has not changed. It is the same which oppresses and marginalises cities,” lawyer Tahini al-Sharif told AFP.

Meanwhile, Jalil announced that Libya should have a functioning police force and military set up within 100 days, and promised to start a process of decentralization by moving various agencies and ministries across the country. However, General Khalifa Hifter told the associated press that it could take up to five years before the Libyan army is strong enough to protect its own borders.