Libya sees no role for UN military peacekeepers
Libya rejects the idea of international peacekeepers playing a role in the country’s future, as thousands in Tripoli freely celebrate the end of Ramadan for the first time in 42 years.
Libya’s interim leaders say they may want United Nations help to set up a new police force, but see no role for international peacekeepers or observers.
The National Transitional Council (NTC) has set out steps leading to democratic elections monitored by the UN within 18 months.
Despite a bloody battle for control of the country, the UN said Libyans want to take control of their own futures post-Gaddafi.
Ian Martin, special UN envoy for post-conflict planning in Libya, said: “They are very seriously interested in assistance with policing to get the public security situation under control and gradually develop a democratically accountable public security force.
“We don’t now expect military observers to be requested,” he added.
“It’s very clear that the Libyans want to avoid any kind of military deployment of the UN or others.”
‘We are free’
In Tripoli’s newly renamed Martyrs’ Square, hundreds of people gathered for morning prayers to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month.
It is the first time in 42 years Libyans have been allowed to celebrate the occasion freely in the centre of Tripoli.
Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum described the scenes as amazing: “One woman in Martyrs’ Square said to me ‘I need a million words to express what I feel today – we are free’.”
Lindsey said that there had been attempts to stop young fighters shooting into the air in celebration but “the young boys from Misrata couldn’t contain themselves”.
Another man told Channel 4 News that “breathing fresh air was freedom enough – we need no more”.
Read more from Lindsey Hilsum: Where were the women in Libya's revolution?
‘All Libyans are equal’
Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) has set out steps for future elections.
Libya will be a democratic, independent state with Tripoli its capital, Islam its religion, sharia, Islamic law as the main source of legislation and Arabic as its official language. The rights of minority groups and all sections of society are guaranteed.
The state will establish a democratic political system based on political and party pluralism aiming for a peaceful, democratic transition of power.
All Libyans are equal before the law and are not discriminated against because of religion, faith, language, wealth, gender, ancestry, political views, social status or tribal, group or family affiliation.
The state guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, as well as freedom of the press and peaceful protests.
No to ultimatum
Forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi have been given a deadline of Saturday to surrender by the National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil.
He has warned that rebel forces are planning to take over the remaining loyalist areas in the coming days, including Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte.
Gaddafi’s spokesman said that the ultimatum would be rejected.
In an overnight phone call to Associated Press headquarters in New York, Colonel Gaddafi’s chief spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said: “No dignified honourable nation would accept an ultimatum from armed gangs.”
Ibrahim reiterated Gaddafi’s offer to send his son al-Saadi to negotiate with rebels and form a transitional government.