NTC leader says stability and security will return to Libya

Dec 12, 2011, 18:45 GMT

Cairo - The head of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustapha Abdel Jalil, said Monday that stability and security would soon return to Libya and denied rumours of an amnesty for followers of slain leader Moamer Gaddafi.

'I assure the Libyans that the future of Libya will witness prosperity in all sectors and that stability will return. Soon there will be a security and army apparatus in the country,' Abdel Jalil said during a press conference in the Libyan capital.

His remarks came a day after Libyan rebels clashed with national army troops near Tripoli's airport, leaving one person dead.

The violence reflects the difficulties Libya's new leaders face as they try to impose their authority on the militias who fought and toppled Gaddafi in August. One of the government's greatest challenges is establishing functioning security services, including an army and border guards.

The militias that fought against Gaddafi still control key locations, such as the capital's airport. They have been reluctant to yield to the government, which they accuse of being too weak to run the country.

Abdel Jalil called on the Libyans for patience and denied reports of an imminent amnesty for pro-Gaddafi fighters.

'What has been said in the past few days about pardoning those who were with Gaddafi is not correct,' Abdel Jalil said, adding that the NTC would not abandon the rights of the Libyan people.

Meanwhile, about 300 Libyans gathered in the eastern city of Benghazi, which was the hub of the uprising against Gaddafi, to protest against the NTC, Arab media reported.

The angry protesters were chanting slogans against Abdel Jalil and accused the NTC of not being transparent, the Dubai-based Al Arabiya reported.