Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Libya’s military commander has resigned amid clashes with
militias.

Libyan Chief of Staff Gen. Yusef Mankoush submitted his resignation on
June 9. Officials said Mankoush’s resignation was accepted by the General
National Congress.

“The chief of staff presented his resignation that was accepted by the Congress,” GNC member Abdullah Gemati said.

For months, Mankoush had been expected to resign amid the loss of Tripoli’s control over most of the North African state. Officials said Mankoush had come under increasing criticism for failing to disband or control the former rebel militias that overthrew Col. Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Mankoush’s resignation was submitted a day after 31 people were killed in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on June 8. Officials said rebel militias clashed with civilians throughout the city, in which more than 100 people were injured.

On June 11, Tripoli announced Mankoush’s replacement. The new chief was
identified as Gen. Salem Gneidi, reported to have been selected on June 9.

“We welcome any force want to join the Army and we are ready to pay
bonuses to those who hand over weapons,” Gneidi told a news conference.

The new military chief said Libyan security has been threatened by
competition among militias. He cited Benghazi, where Libyan special
operations forces have been deployed.

“I tell all those that do not have legitimacy that it is best to leave
the cities,” Gneidi said. “There are those operating without coordination
with the army. And unfortunately now it has become a competition between
revolutionaries.”

  Abdullah Gemati, Gen. Salem Gneidi, Gen. Yusef Mankoush, Libya replaces military chief as militias continue rampage in Benghazi, Libyan military chief, resigns