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Libya, voluntary surrender of weapons

Libya, voluntary surrender of weapons

Hundreds of Libyans have surrendered their weapons in Benghazi and Tripoli, Libya, becoming part of the disarmament initiative undertaken by the local army.

Automatics, anti-aircraft, rocket launchers and even tanks are massed in both cities.

The calls for the handing over of the weapons that will be handed over to the army were promoted through an awareness campaign by a private television station, which was probably triggered by the assassination of the American ambassador Christopher Stevens in Begnhazi.

The interim leader of the country, Mohamed Magarief, vowed after the serious episode that he will dismantle all the illegal paramilitary groups that emerged during the efforts to oust Muammar Gadaffi from power and still remain a significant force in Libya today.


Many people responded to the initiative in Tripoli and Benghazi, where the handover of weapons took place in a celebratory atmosphere with the sounds of military bands and pop music playing in the background.

"I gave my gun because we want our country to be calm and safe. We don't want weapons in our hands anymore, we don't want to see them with our eyes anymore. We just want to live our lives in peace. The time of war is over," said a citizen.

Libya's new leaders are trying to establish their authority in a country filled with weapons, where many Libyans are tired of the paramilitary groups that still patrol the streets and often choose to make the law themselves.

The initiative will now be spread to other cities, where to convince people to surrender their weapons, a lottery will be held and prizes will be awarded, which will include free cars. /Telegraph/