Fourteen political parties and civil society institutions in Benghazi have called for the abolition the Supreme Security Committee (SSC) and its . . .[restrict]members to be integrated into the police force.
The SSC was set up last September to re-establish law and order in the country at a time when in reality there were no police. It was initially headed by Ali Tarhouni. It was later incorporated into the Ministry of the Interior and presently acts in much the same capacity as the Civil Guard in Spain.
A statement signed by the 14 demanded the Interior Minister dissolve the SSC and to transfer its members into the police department with job grades and ranks in accordance with their qualifications. They also called for all SSC assets and properties to be transferred to the various national security institutions.
They want the police to be the main institution responsible for law and order in the country. They called for funds to be allocated to help it perform its works and, in particular, to be invested in police academies and training.
Among those who signed the demand are the Youth Revolution Committee, the Freedom Institute Against Financial And Administrative Corruption, We Are Here Libyan Foundation, 17 February Revolutionaries’ Union, the Democratic Party for Development and Prosperity, the General Police Federation, the Supreme Youth Council, the Women’s Union of Benghazi, Hands Together for Social Solidarity, the Libyan Justice and Constitution Party and the General Union of Civil Community Organisations. [/restrict]