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| Africa North |
| Libya universities face security issues. Really. |
| 2013-06-19 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] Libya is working on improving security on university campuses after several incidents prompted student strikes in various cities. A joint security committee including student union members, university security personnel, and representatives from the interior ministry was formed on Thursday (June 13th) following a student protest two days prior in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... During that meeting, Interior Minister Colonel Mohamed al-Sheikh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Mohammed Hassan Abubaker and Tripoli University Dean Almadani Dkheel discussed the deteriorating security situation in the university, as well as the recent student and university worker sit-ins. The interior ministry will train university guards, according to Libya Herald. It remains unclear, however, whether previously unarmed security personnel will now have access to weapons. Besides attacks on female students, shootouts have erupted on campus. At times, young men attended class with handguns on them. University security personnel have repeatedly said that they were powerless to disarm anyone. In recent weeks, several guards did not report for work. "I urge all those concerned, whether from the university or from the outside to co-operate with so that the university can meet its obligations towards society and perform its noble message for which it has been established," Dkheel said. In Sirte, the university remains closed until tomorrow, following deadly festivities last week. Three people were killed last Thursday and six others maimed, including some at death's door. The fight started on Wednesday outside the university campus and moved inside the next day. The festivities are said to have begun as a tribal quarrel between two families, before escalating, according to Libya Herald. Firearms were used during the festivities, national security director Col. Jamal Atallah said. The incident is under investigation, he added. "About 15 people, including seven girls, were maimed in these festivities," Sirte University student Youssef Ismali said. "Four of the girls received gunshot wounds, while the others sustained light shrapnel wounds." In the meantime, the Zawiya Martyrs Brigade and the military police are assuming responsibility for the university's security. Although last week's student strike was not total, student union leaders were satisfied of the impact they had. Tripoli University student union leader Mohamed Qashut underlined the stark violations of the rights of students, teaching staff members and university workers. "Tripoli University has turned into a den and a shelter for corrupters, saboteurs and outlaws," he said. Qashut demanded that the interior ministry "provide all security capabilities for its members, issue special cards for them, set up electronic gates, and install a surveillance camera system". He also demanded the removal of all illegal security groups that are currently present on university grounds. |
| Posted by:Fred |