June 22, 2012 - 4:19 PM
OTTAWA - Canada believes Libya's new leaders continue to face significant challenges disarming dangerous militias, an assertion supported by recent human-rights reports and continuing violence on the ground.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird raised the importance of militia disarmament with Libya's education minister on a recent visit to Ottawa.
Since the death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in October, hundreds of Libyans have been killed in internal fighting.
Baird used his trip to Tripoli last fall to announce $10 million to support a priority for Canada: helping disarm the various Libyan rebel forces that overthrew Gadhafi.
A spokesman for Baird says Libya's interim government continues to make strong efforts to reintegrate militia fighters into society, but "significant challenges" remain.
A pair of recent human-rights reports also noted that the continued existence of the armed groups continues to pose threats to children and adults.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012