Thousands of Libyans took the streets on late Friday to express their protest against the presence of armed militias in the Libyan capital. They expressed their support for leader of Libya’s army, Marshal Khalifa Haftar days after clashes that turned the city into a warzone.
The militants attempted to disperse the demonstrators, as they used the weapons against them pushing a large number of demonstrators to escape, while other militants kidnapped the staff of media channel 218, as they broadcast images about the demonstrations.
The demonstrators raised slogans reading “Yes for the police and army… No for militias,” while others raised “leave Tripoli safe and stable.” They also chanted against the militias calling for the unity of the Libyan army and police. A large number of protesters expressed their support for Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
On his hand, Marshal Haftar commented on the protests, saying, “We say to those who expressed their support for the Libyan army that your armed forces will not undermine your aspirations. We will return Tripoli as a symbol of civilization and peace.”
He condemned the militants, describing them as tyrants. He added that they used live ammunition against the peaceful demonstrators showing their ugly face before the Libyan people. He added, “Those militants still have the opportunity to abandon their terrorist program, as the people will resume chasing you.”
To suspend the bloodshed, Haftar continued, the Armed Forces call the terrorist militias for leaving the scene and surrendering your weapons to the army. He added, “You have only two choices; the first is to rally with us to achieve the demands of people, or the confrontation.”
The Libyan parliament called the internationally-recognized government, headed by Fayez Al Sarraj, for bearing the responsibility to restore peace and security in the Libyan capital and to protect those unarmed people who participate in the demonstrations.