TRIPOLI, Libya - Libya’s prime minister on Thursday told ethnic Africans forced to flee their homes during the country’s 2011 civil war to delay a planned return.
The western town of Tawergha was used as a staging ground by forces loyal to ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi to attack the nearby city of Misrata. Anti-regime rebels later overran Tawergha, and the town’s 40,000 residents fled or were driven out by rebels.
Scores were thrown into jails, where human-rights groups recorded cases of torture. The displaced residents live in harsh conditions in refugee camps in Tripoli and Benghazi.
They had declared their intention to return Wednesday, but Prime Minister Ali Zidan said at a news conference that the time is not right. Many ex-rebels in Misrata continue to express anger against anyone from Tawergha.
Zidan promised his government would do more to resolve the Tawergha residents’ problem.
Also Thursday, Human Rights Watch urged judicial authorities in Libya to drop criminal charges against two politicians facing the death penalty for using election posters deemed offensive to Islam.
Ali Tekbali and Fathi Sager from the National Libyan Party are charged with insulting religion, instigating sedition and harming national security. If convicted, they could face the death penalty.
The advocacy group says the charges stem from posters used in elections last year showing men discussing the role of women in Libyan society. One purportedly resembles the Prophet Muhammad as depicted in a cartoon published last year by a French magazine that offended Muslims.
Front Section, Pages 7 on 06/21/2013