The head of Libya’s interim government and revolutionary figure, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, said on Wednesday he would stand down if the country’s upcoming elections run off course. In the wake of fresh unrest between former Libyan rebels, Jalil said in an interview with Al Arabiya that “strong force will be used against those who threaten the security of Libyans. I plan to resign if the elections fail,” the National Transitional Council chief added, revealing that the vote for a constituent assembly has been scheduled for June 19. The remarks came at the close of a third day of clashes near the border of Tunisia which has claimed at least 26 lives, according to Al Arabiya. “We will not allow Libyan blood to continue to be spilled,” Jalil said.
The fighting pitted armed Berber groups from Zwarah against gunmen from the neighboring Arab towns of Regdalin and Jamil. The two camps fought on opposite sides during the 2011 conflict that toppled the regime of slain leader Muammar Qaddafi. Libyan authorities warned on Wednesday that insecurity could cause a delay of elections for a constituent assembly and demanded an immediate halt to violence in the west of the country.
Full Article: Libya’s NTC chief threatens to resign ‘if elections fail’ as tribal clashes flare.