By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 8 March 2015:
A raid on illegal weapons traders in Al-Rasheed Street and the old fish market in . . .[restrict]central Tripoli was carried out by the Nawasi Eight Force (which has rebranded itself as the North Tripoli branch of the Central Security Directory) in cooperation with other agencies yesterday.
Gunfire was heard across the centre of town as many Tripoli residents were startled.
Armoured vehicles surrounded and closed off streets leading to the targeted areas while infantry marched slowly towards shops suspected of dealing in weapons. Many outlets closed their shops as the security personnel approached.
However, the security forces searched many shops and forced other to open and subject their premises to a search. A number of weapons and munitions were confiscated.
The authorities reported that they intent to carry out other similar raids on other suspected weapons dealers in the city in the hope of ridding the capital of the phenomena of illegal firearms.
However, the initiative by the police makes no mention of the widespread availability of heavier arms with militias in the capital as a result of the 2011 revolution. [/restrict]