Libyan Army Tells Militias To Call It Quits, Or Else

The Libyan military has ordered militia groups around Tripoli to lay down their arms and disband or be forcibly removed.

The order comes after the withdrawal of armed groups from Benghazi and Derna, following a military crackdown in the wake of violent protests against the anti-Islamic film, “Innocence of Muslims,” that resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, three other consulate staff and 10 Libyan security personnel.

Islamist militia group Ansar al-Sharia has been accused by some U.S. officials of being involved in the attack on the U.S. Consulate on Sept. 11, a charge which the now-disbanded group has denied. Ansar al-Sharia announced it was disbanding after being driven out of Benghazi.

Libya has been grappling with how to deal with militia groups, which had previously been enlisted in the overthrow of autocratic leader Moammar Gadhafi and continue to exert control in various parts of the country.