Libya: Leader Vows To Use Force To Prevent Divisions

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The President of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC), Mustafa Abdeljalil, threatened Wednesday to use force to prevent the independence of the East, as planned by tribal and militia leaders.

“We are not prepared for a division of Libya,” said Abdeljalil in comments broadcast on television, warning against the “remnants” of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

“They should know that ‘infiltrators’ and ‘remnants’ of the Gaddafi regime tried to use them, and we are ready to deter them, even by force,” said Abdeljalil.

The head of the TNC made the remarks while he was in Misrata (210 km east of Tripoli) to announce the end of the drafting of the national charter, which he will serve as a model for the future Constitution of Libya.

Tribal leaders and militia in eastern Libya declared on Tuesday independence of this oil-rich region, saying they are opted for a federal system.

Abdeljalil reacted strongly, accusing some Arab countries, without naming them, to support the “sedition”. “Some Arab countries, unfortunately, fund and sponsor the mutiny that occurred in the east to avoid being contaminated by the revolution,” the interim leader said.

This development comes as the interim authorities are struggling to stabilize the country where tribal militias have been clashing with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

For its part, the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) on Wednesday urged Libyans to preserve the unity of their country. The OIC Secretary General called on “the Libyan people to preserve national unity and territorial integrity” of their country and to “close ranks around the Transitional National Council as the sole legitimate representative “.

Al Bawaba News

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