JURIST - Paper Chase: Libya to abolish state security courts

[JURIST] Libyan transitional justice minister Mohammed al-Alagi said Monday that he plans to abolish the nation's security prosecution and court and the state security appeals court. The state security court system had been used to jail thousands of dissidents and people who opposed the regime of Muammar Gaddafi [BBC profile; JURIST news archive]. Speaking at a news conference, al-Alagi said that he had already approved the measure [AP report]. The proposal now awaits approval by the National Transitional Council (NTC) [official website], which currently runs the nation.

Earlier this month, NTC members assured world leaders that Libya will be a society of tolerance and respect for the rule of law [JURIST report]. During a meeting [BBC report] in Paris chaired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, NTC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil [BBC profiles] vowed to administer elections and draft a new constitution for Libya within 18 months. Sarkozy said that the airstrikes in Libya would continue until Gaddafi is caught by interim officials