Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Libya: Corruption 'will last years'

Ap
Tuesday 21 February 2012 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Libya's leader has acknowledged that his transitional government is powerless to control militias that are refusing to lay down their arms after ousting Muammar Gaddafi.

Mustafa Abdul-Jalil warned that remnants of the former regime also still pose a threat and it will take years for Libya's new leaders to overcome a "heavy heritage" of corruption.

He said the governing National Transitional Council (NTC) had made mistakes, but he also criticised former rebels who have formed powerful militias and local governments that have emerged as rivals to the central government.

"Both are to blame," he said. "The governmental programme to integrate the militias is slow and the revolutionaries don't trust it."

Libya is celebrating the first anniversary of the start of the revolution, when peaceful anti-government protesters took up weapons in the face of a crackdown by Gaddafi's forces. Although the country declared liberation after Gaddafi was captured and killed in October, it has been plagued by revenge attacks by those who suffered at the hands of Gaddafi's forces during the brutal civil war.

Mr Abdul-Jalil, 60, who has led the NTC since it was formed in opposition, said Libyans needed years to overcome a culture of corruption and mistrust, and to build state institutions and the rule of law.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in