The Libyan authorities announced a decision to dissolve all militias and armed groups that did not come under State authority.

The Libyan authorities announced a decision to dissolve all militias and armed groups that did not come under State authority.

The move which was announced late on Saturday came a day after Benghazi residents rebelled against the militias in violence that killed at least 11 people and wounded over 70.

The head the national assembly, in Benghazi Mohammed al-Megaryef announced the decision, adding that the authorities decided to put in place an "operations room" in the eastern city.

The rooms aim at bringing together the army, forces of the interior ministry and defense ministry brigades comprising former opposition militants who ousted the slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi, al-Megaryef said.

The authorities also called on the army to impose its authority by putting its own officers at the head of brigades born out of the 2011 revolt.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Libyans demonstrated against militias.
Hundreds of them later on Saturday stormed bases of militias sparking clashes that left 11 dead and dozens wounded. The fighting centered at the HQ of Raf Allah al-Sahati, a salafist brigade under the defence ministry, which was looted.