Friday, Nov 22, 2013
TRIPOLI (AFP)--Hundreds of residents on Friday called on Libyan militias still in Tripoli to follow other groups and withdraw, aiming to keep the momentum going a week after deadly clashes.
The city council and students' union had called for a "large demonstration," with authorities pledging to protect protesters while also urging them not to march on militia-held sites to avoid any repeat of the bloodshed.
Demonstrators carrying banners that read "No to armed groups in Tripoli" gathered outside Al-Quds Mosque in the city centre.
But they were surrounded by police to ensure there was no repetition of violence a week after 46 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in the city's deadliest day since dictator Moamer Gadhafi was overthrown in 2011.
"We demand that the capital be cleansed of all militias," said 41-year-old civil servant Abdelmajid. "Most of them are made up of criminals."
Many of the groups of fighters who helped oust Gadhafi have long rejected calls to disarm or integrate into the armed forces, triggering the frustration of Libyans who once hailed them as heroes.
On Friday, Nov. 15, matters came to a head when members of the Misrata militia fired on demonstrators demanding that they leave, killing several.
In retaliation, members of another militia assaulted the fighters' stronghold, sparking clashes that lasted into the next day and led to the heavy death toll.
Since Sunday, residents of Tripoli have been holding a general strike and daily demonstrations to press their demands.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
22-11-13 1658GMT
