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| Africa North |
| Ghariyan militias disarm and "quit" |
| 2013-04-18 |
| [Libya Herald] Ghariyan has become the latest town to see militiamen hand in their weapons and uniforms. The local battalions also passed control of the local prison to the authorities and surrendered 13 militiamen wanted for investigation into crimes allegedly committed during the fighting in Bani Walid. For good measure the militia commanders also pledged to find the owners of vehicles that they had seized and used and then to hand them back. In passing all security in the mountain town to the police and army, the militiamen also agreed that the only people who could now wear uniforms in public were legitimate members of the police or armed forces. It is reported that a wide range of light and heavy weapons and munitions was handed over to the authorities at a low-key ceremony in the town on Monday. The surrender of the equipment , the prison and the militiamen's role in the town was the result of an agreement reached last week with the authorities, according to the town's social media page. Militia commanders reportedly refused to hold a larger celebration for the handover and the return of their men to civilian life " in order not to waste the state budget and in solidarity with those innocent people who died in all parts of Libya". |
| Posted by:Fred |