Tarhouni, also chairman of the NTC executive committee, said the new
panel has already returned police and security forces to patrol Tripoli. He
said the biggest danger was pro-Gadhafi forces, still believed to
have access to heavy weapons.
"The main goal is to protect citizens, as well as public and private
establishments, and to eliminate what remains of pro-Gadhafi groups, or
what is called the fifth column," Tarhuni told a briefing on Sept. 3.
In the initial stage, the new panel would contribute rebel forces to
help patrol Tripoli, Middle East Newsline reported. Tarhouni said the goal was to eventually return the
city's police force of 7,000 officers.
"I do not anticipate any problems with other groups joining this
committee," Tarhouni said.
The rebels have already appointed an interim government in wake of
Gadhafi's ouster in late August. The Interior Ministry was given to Ahmed
Darad, who has called on the rebels to leave Tripoli and return home.
Several of Gadhafi's children were still vowing to fight the rebels. A
major Gadhafi holdout was in Bani Walid, about 180 kilometers southeast of
Tripoli.
"We are in a position of strength to enter any city but we want to avoid
any bloodshed, especially in sensitive areas such as tribal areas," NTC
chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil said. "We gave Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha one
more week."