By AFPMore by this AuthorTRIPOLIA group of Libyan militias entered the capital Tripoli this week and said they were creating a "Libyan National Guard", to the alarm of the country's unity government and Washington. The Libyan capital has been controlled by dozens of militias with shifting loyalties and territories since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. On Thursday, Mahmud Zagal, a militia commander from Misrata, announced the creation of the "Libyan National Guard", saying it would stay out of "political, party and tribal disputes". A GNA source said Saturday that most of the groups involved had taken part in a seven-month battle to oust IS from its stronghold of Sirte, which fell in December. The United States said Friday it had noted with "serious concern reports that numerous tactical vehicles from an organisation claiming to be the 'Libyan National Guard' have entered Tripoli".

Source: Daily Nation February 11, 2017 13:41 UTC