national transitional council

Gun battles between rival militia groups erupted near center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Wednesday.

Supporters of dead Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Monday took over portions of the central city of Bani Walid, prompting clashes between them and government forces that left four dead.

In many places in Libya, militias have far greater authority than the self-appointed National Transitional Council. Absorbing the former rebels into a new national army, police, or civilian role will be a crucial issue for Libya’s future.

Two different developments have put the fallout from the Libyan revolution in the spotlight over the past week.