LIBYA: Libyan justice ministry surrounded by gunmen demanding a ban on ex-Gaddafi aides in government

Record ID: 735408

  • Title: LIBYA: Libyan justice ministry surrounded by gunmen demanding a ban on ex-Gaddafi aides in government
  • Date: 30th April 2013
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (APRIL 30, 2013) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF JUSTICE MINISTRY JUSTICE MINISTRY VARIOUS OF MILITIAMEN STATIONED OUTSIDE MINISTRY WITH WEAPONS AND VEHICLES WEAPON MOUNTED ON THE BACK OF A VEHICLE BELONGING TO MILITIA WEAPON (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MILITIA MEMBER, MOHAMMED OMAR, SAYING: "Political exclusion (of Gaddafi-era politicians) is our demand. We will not leave until they pass a political exclusion law." VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC AND MILITIAMEN NEAR THEIR VEHICLES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER, SAYING: "The current justice minister was a teacher of Aisha Gaddafi and he used to teach her legislation and is considered one of the former regime's men." CAR WITH WEAPONS VARIOUS OF WEAPONS MOUNTED ON THE BACK OF A CAR VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC JAM OUTSIDE JUSTICE MINISTRY
  • Embargoed: 15th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8XJ6JHZQSWY908Z5K4Z27COU2
  • Story Text: Gunmen in pick-up trucks surrounded Libya's justice ministry Tuesday (April 30) to step up demands for former aides to deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi to be barred from senior government posts.
    The justice ministry was surrounded by gunmen occupying the roads outside the building with around 20 pickup trucks, including one with Grad missiles positioned at the gates.
    Militiamen first ringed the foreign ministry on Sunday (April 28) and have targeted other state buildings to push for a law to be passed to ban former aides to Gaddafi, who was overthrown and killed in a 2011 uprising, from government service.
    "We will not leave until they pass a political exclusion law," said one of the militiamen Mohammed Omar.
    The unrest prompted the General National Congress to postpone its next sitting, scheduled for Tuesday, to Sunday. A spokesman said this would give lawmakers time to consider legislation that protesters are calling for.
    If passed, the law sought by protesters could force out several long-serving ministers as well as the congress leader, depending on the wording adopted.
    "The current justice minister was a teacher of Aisha Gaddafi and he used to teach her legislation and is considered one of the former regime's men," said one of the protesters who did not give his name.
    Tension between the government and armed militias has been rising since authorities began a campaign to dislodge the gunmen from strongholds in the capital Tripoli to help curb lawlessness afflicting the oil-producing state since Gaddafi's demise.
    The build-up in armed protests this week has increased fears of a security breakdown in Tripoli and prompted the German embassy to suspend some activities. Protesters have also unsuccessfully tried to storm the interior ministry.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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