Libya PM announces compromise with militias

Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has announced a “compromise” with the country’s militia groups who had imposed the interim assembly a deadline to dissolve itself.

Two armed militia groups, made up of former rebels from Zintan town, gave Libya’s General National Congress a late Tuesday deadline to hand over power.

The al-Qa’qaa and al-Sawa’iq militia groups also threatened to capture any lawmaker ignoring the deadline.

The Libyan Premier said the deadline was extended by 72 hours, adding that “wisdom has prevailed” after discussions with representatives from the militia groups, the assembly and the United Nations.

The head of the UN mission to Libya, Tarek Metri, and the militia’s commanders held a meeting following the ultimatum.

“I asked them to give a chance to political dialogue on the basis of general elections being held,” Metri said.

Nuri Abu Sahmein, the speaker of the General National Congress, rejected the militia’s ultimatum, describing it as a coup attempt.

He said the assembly gave “instructions to the chief of staff to take the necessary steps to deal with this group,” adding that he has received “confirmation from the head of the army and revolutionaries that they would defend its legitimacy.”

Libyan parliament term expired on February 7, but legislators voted to extend it with plans to hold new elections in coming months.

Libyans rose up against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s four-decade rule in February 2011 and deposed him in August 2011. He was slain on October 20 of the same year.

Militiamen played a key role in ousting Gaddafi. Libya has since been the scene of numerous clashes between the militia groups and government forces.

The former rebels refuse to lay down their arms despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.