Tripoli, March 25: Libya has released 214 Islamic militants, including senior members of a group accused of plotting to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, after they renounced violence.
The Libyan leader’s son Seif al-Islam Gaddafi said 34 members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, including its leader, were sent home on Tuesday after they affirmed they had broken ties with the organisation. The group is suspected of having links to al Qaeda.
“This is an important day for Libya because it is a day of forgiveness and honesty,” the younger Gaddafi said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Gaddafi’s son has been leading a dialogue with militants through a rehabilitation programme run by his organisation, the Gaddafi Foundation.
The efforts are the latest by Arab governments to address militant movements through rehabilitation programmes rather than solely through force. Saudi Arabia and Egypt have both pioneered programmes to “deprogram” militants and allow them to rejoin society.
“Since the beginning of this programme, 705 Islamists have been freed and 409 are still in prison,” Gaddafi said, adding that 232 more will be released after making sure they had fully renounced their past activities.
–PTI