Libya’s parliament has suspended a law banning officials who served under Muammar Gaddafi from holding a position in the country’s current administration.
Members of parliament adopted the law in May 2013 under pressure from armed rebels who besieged public buildings in the capital Tripoli, explained BBC.
Reportedly, the law also barred Gaddafi-era officials from holding leadership posts in state firms, universities, and judicial bodies.
“We voted to cancel the political isolation law – it’s done,” Ibrahim Alzgheid, a member of the Libyan parliament, told the BBC.
The fate of the new measure is uncertain since the Tobruk-based law making body in the east holds very little influence over the rest of Libya.
The U.S.-backed opposition toppled Gaddafi in October 2011. Since then, the country has been plagued by conflict.
A jihadist-led militia has controlled Tripoli since last September. The militants operate “a rival government,” BBC noted.
The Islamic State (IS, ISIS, or ISIL) has established a presence in Libya.
“With affiliates in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, the group is beginning to assemble a growing international footprint that includes ungoverned and under governed areas,” mentions the World Wide Threat Assessment prepared by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
“In Libya, political instability and ongoing militia violence have worsened over the year, exacerbating conditions that have already made Libya an attractive terrorist safe haven,” it adds. “ISIL has increased its presence and influence in Libya, particularly in Darnah, where it has begun establishing Islamic institutions. Without a unified government and capable military, there is limited possibility of stability in the near-term.”
ISIS-linked gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Tripoli late last month killing at least 10 people, including a former U.S. Marine.
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