Libyan Government Crackdown on Militia Groups Could Stunt Investigation Into US Consulate Attack
The Libyan government has issued a 48-hour deadline for illegal militia groups to disband. This after angry protesters stormed militia compounds in an apparent attempt at retaliation for the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. Greg Palkot reported live from Tripoli where militias have spread and security forces have routed some forces from several bases.
Heavily armed militants have been tied to insecurity throughout the region and could be linked to the death of four Americans at the US consulate. On Friday, rioters ransacked compounds and militia members were killed. Some are skeptical that militias will abandon their bases by Tuesday.
Palkot reported that what can be seen as the public wreaking their own revenge
for the killing of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans may be a good thing because from discussions with officials, the probe into the killings is “going nowhere fast.” Sources also say that the FBI team sent to investigate the killing remain in Tripoli and have not reached Benghazi amid new concerns of tampering of the crime scene. Additionally, the militia crackdown may mean that possible suspects are being forced out of their bases to parts unknown.
