alkhabar
Maghreb
Abdullah Naker. Photo Sky News.
A powerful Libyan militia will not heed a government request to disband because the incentives on offer are not generous enough, the force's leader said , demanding houses, cars and loans for his men so they can "realise our dreams." Reuters reports.
Muammer Gaddafi did not create a private sector or permit entrepreneurs to develop small businesses. The result is an enormous problem for the NTC government which has nothing to offer the militias whose men know that if they disband and give up there weapons no jobs await them. Libya's revenue is mainly derived from oil and gas which is not a big employer.
"The revolutionaries (militia fighters) will not join the government initiative until they clearly know what are the benefits they will receive," said Abdullah Naker, commander of one of the two big Tripoli-based militias to Reuters.
"The people need higher salaries, economic stability, medical insurance, houses and cars, young single men want to get married," Naker said on Libyan television late on Sunday. Foreign investors and donors are reluctant
The fact that militia leaders are seeking to form political parties to press their case is encouraging but when backed by thousands of armed men there is a fear of continuing of continued division and instability. International human rights organisations have pointed to continuing human rights violations and illegal imprisonment by militias of some
8,000 alledged pro Gadaffi fighters and supporters. The reconciliation process after the revolution has been undermined through lack of a proper justice system.foreign investors and financial insitutions remain reluctant to deal with the NTC government whilst it remains unable to establish full control of the situation. The reconstruction effort which is key to the economic recovery of Libya is being held up over these concerns.
Fighting between the last two weeks of the tribes of south-eastern desert of Libya has claimed more than 100 dead and thousands displaced, said Monday tonight the United Nations, AFP reports.
"Over 100 people were killed in the fighting and half the population of Kufra fled elsewhere," said the UN agencies in a joint statement issued after an assessment mission on the ground.The army has been brought in to secure the area but Kufra remains tense.
Muammer Gaddafi did not create a private sector or permit entrepreneurs to develop small businesses. The result is an enormous problem for the NTC government which has nothing to offer the militias whose men know that if they disband and give up there weapons no jobs await them. Libya's revenue is mainly derived from oil and gas which is not a big employer.
"The revolutionaries (militia fighters) will not join the government initiative until they clearly know what are the benefits they will receive," said Abdullah Naker, commander of one of the two big Tripoli-based militias to Reuters.
"The people need higher salaries, economic stability, medical insurance, houses and cars, young single men want to get married," Naker said on Libyan television late on Sunday. Foreign investors and donors are reluctant
The fact that militia leaders are seeking to form political parties to press their case is encouraging but when backed by thousands of armed men there is a fear of continuing of continued division and instability. International human rights organisations have pointed to continuing human rights violations and illegal imprisonment by militias of some
8,000 alledged pro Gadaffi fighters and supporters. The reconciliation process after the revolution has been undermined through lack of a proper justice system.foreign investors and financial insitutions remain reluctant to deal with the NTC government whilst it remains unable to establish full control of the situation. The reconstruction effort which is key to the economic recovery of Libya is being held up over these concerns.
Fighting between the last two weeks of the tribes of south-eastern desert of Libya has claimed more than 100 dead and thousands displaced, said Monday tonight the United Nations, AFP reports.
"Over 100 people were killed in the fighting and half the population of Kufra fled elsewhere," said the UN agencies in a joint statement issued after an assessment mission on the ground.The army has been brought in to secure the area but Kufra remains tense.
