Libya's Defense Minister: New Army Top Priority

Published December 4, 2011 8:27PM (EST)

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libya's new defense minister says one of his top priorities is to rebuild the country's military.

Osama al-Juwali says the primary obstacle he faces is unifying the various revolutionary factions that helped topple Moammar Gadhafi's regime in an eight-month civil war.

He says that "we have to reorganize," but that it is too early to disarm fighters still in the capital of Tripoli.

Al-Juwali was commander of revolutionary forces from the western mountain town of Zintan. His fighters helped storm Tripoli in August and then capture Gadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, last month.

Al-Juwali was sworn in Sunday before the country's new leaders and other Cabinet ministers.


By Salon Staff

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