Libya Faces Problems With Its Militias

David D. Kirkpatrick reported about militia issues that have arisen in Libya after the assault that killed the American ambassador and his constituents last month. In an article called, “Libya Struggles to Curb Militias, The Only Police” from The New York Times Kirkpatrick revealed that Libya’s militias, who supplement the regular army in an emergency, have resisted government control. Their resistance makes it more difficult for Libyan authorities and the United States to find the actual attackers and killers of the American ambassador. The public blames the death of the ambassador on the lack of protection from militias. Therefore, thousands of people filled the streets last month to demand the dismantling of the militias. After the president told them to back off, some of the leaders of the militia units threatened to cut off any service that they provide, such as putting out fires and patrolling the borders. If the militias retreat from these services, Libya will be under huge threats of being attacked from the outside. While some complain that the militia does not do their intended jobs, others report witnessing the militia carrying out the attack. A hospital administrator where a militia unit’s men served as guards stated, “They are very nice people. Security has been ‘on shaky ground’ since the militia fled” (The New York Times).  The man, who felt the affects of security before and after the assistance of militias, is a perfect example for the rest of society that they will never be secure without these militias. They cannot afford not having these militias, especially after a serious assault that killed the ambassador last month.