Hundreds of former Libyan rebels who helped topple Muammar Gaddafi this year have started filling out applications for jobs with the new government.
Interior Minister Fawzy Abdul-Ali says it is the first step toward disarming the former rebels. They will be asked to turn in their weapons after training and working with the government.
He says former rebels will have until the end of January 2012 to apply for governments posts through local military councils distributing the applications.
On Wednesday, hundreds of former rebels in various cities began filling out the applications. They ask applicants what brigade they belong to, what their rank was during the uprising and the serial numbers of the weapons they possess.
Disarming former rebel forces is a major challenge facing Libya’s new rulers. — Sapa-AP