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President Mohammed el-Megaref said late Saturday all of the country's militias must come under government authority or disband, a move that appeared aimed at harnessing popular anger against the powerful armed groups following the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador. The assault on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, which left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead, has sparked an angry backlash among many Libyans against the myriad of armed factions that continue to run rampant across the nation nearly a year after the end of the country's civil war.
On Friday, residents of Benghazi - the cradle of the Libyan revolution last year that toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi - staged a mass demonstration against the militias before storming the compounds of several armed groups in the city in an unprecedented protest to demand the militias dissolve. The government has taken advantage of the popular sentiment to move quickly. In a statement published by the official LANA news agency, the military asked all armed groups using the army's camps, outposts and barracks in Tripoli, and other cities to hand them over. It warned that it will resort to force if the groups refuse.
On Sunday, security forces raided a number of sites in the capital, including a military outpost on the main airport road, which were being used as bases by disparate militias since Gadhafi was driven from the capital around a year ago, according to military spokesman Ali al-Shakhli. Tripoli resident Abdel-Salam Sikayer said he believes the government is able to make this push now because, thanks to the country's first free election in decades that took place in July, the public generally trusts it. "There was no trust before the election of the National Congress that is backed by the legitimacy of the people and which chose the country's leader. There is a feeling that the national army will really be built," he said.
The government faces a number of obstacles, though. It needs the most powerful militias on its side to help disband the rest. It also relies on militias for protection of vital institutions and has used them to secure the borders, airports, hospitals and even July's election. Some of the militias have taken steps over the past several weeks to consolidate and work as contracted government security forces that are paid monthly salaries. In the western city of Misrata, for example, resident Walid Khashif said dozens of militias held a meeting recently and decided to work under the government's authority. He said the militias also handed over three main prisons in the city to the Ministry of Justice to run.
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“So far, we have detained about eight people who have been part of the attack on that night,” Abushagur told CNN Senior International Correspondent Arwa Damon. “And we have identified some of the leaders who right now we're pursuing.” Damon asked Abushagur: “Were there any foreigners amongst them ties to groups like Al Qaeda?” “Have you then determined this attack was preplanned?” asked CNN. “Oh, I think it is. I think it is. Because the way it has taken place, the way they have done it, it's clear this group has planned it,” said Abushagur. “So, It is not a spontaneous thing that took place that night, no.”
Abushagur met with U.S. Deptuy Secretary of State William Burns on Thursday in Libya. CNN’s Damon asked the Libyan prime minister about that meeting. “In your meetings with the Deputy Secretary of State William Burns what did you discuss and, also, did you ask the United States for help?” Damon asked. “It is technical, it is intelligence,” said Abushagur. “And also at the same time clearly we want to train our new army, our police force, equipment for them. These are types [of] assistance, and also planning and strategy.”
Question: “Since this attack took place there has been an increase in drone activity. The U.S. has moved its naval warships. Has there been any discussion about a possible U.S. military strike and what is your position on that?”
Abushagur: “We are against any effort to be taken by any foreign country in Libya, because this will cross our sovereignty, and we are prepared to really to handle this situation. And, I think, the administration, they know very well what we can do, and our effort, and are very grateful for what we have done so far. So, I think we might need help in the investigation itself. But, clearly, for having a strike that would really throw this country in chaos if that ever happened.
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