Libyans spent yesterday marking the anniversary of the uprising that led to
the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi after his rule of more than 40 years.
Celebrations took place across the country, including in the capital Tripoli
and in the eastern city of Benghazi, where the revolt began. The White House
congratulated Libyans but urged the new government to protect "the rights of
all the Libyan people". But the anniversary comes amid fears of continuing
instability in the country. Hundreds of militias are roaming the country
unimpeded and observers point to an institutional void. Libyan interim
leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil on Thursday vowed a tough response to anyone who
threatened national security during Friday's celebrations.

Armed militias are threatening the security and stability of Libya, Amnesty
International has warned. The human rights group says at least 12 detainees
held by militias have died after being tortured since September. The report
is being released to coincide with the first anniversary on Friday of the
revolt that toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Last month, the UN said
about 8,000 pro-Gaddafi supporters were being held by militia groups. The
interim government has said it is trying to reassert authority, but
correspondents say it has largely failed to rein in the groups.

Representatives of about 100 militias from western Libya said Monday they
had formed a new federation to prevent infighting and allow them to press
the country's new government for further reform. The move was a blow to the
National Transitional Council, which helped lead the eight-month uprising
against longtime ruler Gaddafi that ended with his capture and death in
October. The NTC has struggled for months to stamp its authority on the
country and has largely failed to decommission or bring under its control
the hundreds of militias that fought in the war. Ibrahim al-Madani, a
commander whose brigade joined the new federation, said the fighters would
not give up their arms to what they considered a corrupt government. "We
didn't turn against Gaddafi but against a corrupt regime," al-Madani told
reporters at a news conference. "We will not lay down our weapons until we
are assured that the revolution is on the right track". As the situation
remains fluid 11 people were killed in tribal fighting in the desert area of
Kufra Monday, said Farag Saad of the local hospital. Most of the dead were
civilians, he said. Kufra area lies about 500 miles (804 kilometers) south
of the early coastal city of Derna, deep in the desert. The clashes pitted
fighters from local tribes. It was unclear what sparked the clashes.