The United Nations welcomed Wednesday Tripoli's efforts to re-integrate former rebel fighters into Libya's national army in a move to head off violence among armed groups that fought to depose the former Moammer Gadaffi regime, dpa reported.
Tripoli has warned that recent fighting among the rebel fighters could lead to a civil war in the country. The UN noted that the Libyan interim government has taken steps to bring the fighters under the national army, which is being formed.
"We hope the pace of the process of re-integrating ex-rebel fighters will be expedited, and note the announcement by the National Transitional Council (NTC) that Major-General Yousif Al-Mangoush was appointed Chief of staff of the army," said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.
He said the UN mission in Libya is following closely the work to disband the militias and has cautioned that problems among the groups could "become more entrenched unless the security situation is addressed quickly and effectively."