Libya faces unity test as eastern region seeks autonomy
Tripoli, 07 Mar – (ANA) - Libya's national unity will be defended with force if necessary, the head of the governing National Transitional Council (NTC) has said.
Mustafa Abdel Jalil called on regional leaders to engage in dialogue, a day after senior figures in oil-rich eastern Libya called for semi-autonomy.
He warned that remnants of the Gaddafi regime were "infiltrating" their ranks.
Civic leaders in the east say they have experienced decades of neglect from Tripoli-based governments.
Leaders from the region, which was once called Cyrenaica, made their call for more autonomy in a document issued after a meeting in Benghazi, which was the focal point of the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.
They demanded a regional parliament, and control over the police force and courts, but stopped short of advocating a division of the country.
They agreed that foreign policy, among other responsibilities, should be left to the government in Tripoli.
But Mr Jalil said he would not allow a divided Libya. (ANA)
FA/ANA/07 March 2012----------