6000 Libyans under arrest by brigades

UNITED NATIONS - The Associated Press

Up to 6,000 Libyans are detained in facilities run by revolutionary brigades that helped oust Moammar Gadhafi, the United Nations said. It urged Libya to hurry its process of putting those facilities under government control.

The top U.N. envoy to Libya, Ian Martin, told the Security Council Feb. 29 that Libyan authorities recognize that their main challenge is to address the wide circulation of weapons in the country and the future of the revolutionary fighters, and to develop professional state security institutions under civilian control.

Eight detention centers with a total of 2,383 detainees have been placed under government control so far.

Martin said “the new government faces tremendous challenges and a heavy legacy from the former regime as it tries to tackle illegal migration and smuggling, effective border control, proliferation of weapons and foster national reconciliation among tribes.”