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By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 22 January 2014:
Speaking about the recent skirmishes in the Warshafana region between criminal gangs and state security forces, . . .[restrict]the Prime Minister admitted at today’s press conference that errors were made by both sides.
This was in response to criticism that the forces sent in by the state were too heavy handed, causing harm to innocent civilians in the process of pursuing the criminals.
As a result, Zeidan announced a change of tactics today, saying that the (mainly militia) forces from outside the area would be recalled and that the local police and Security Directorate in Warshefana would be activated instead.
He said that the operation would now be followed up by the Ministry of Interior but insisted that all those that were wanted by the law would be sought and prosecuted.
Zeidan said that he had met elders and mediators as well as GNC members from the area for discussions and that the new sweep operations would be conducted with local cooperation.
The Warshafana area has been seen as a hotbed of criminal activity, with carjackings, hold ups and road blocks a regular feature for local and passing traffic. [/restrict]
