A Libyan armed militia group has handed over its positions in the capital Tripoli to the national army, said the Defence Ministry Thursday, a week after militiamen killed 47 protesters in the city, dpa reported.
The militia from the western city of Zintan handed over its bases "in response to the calls from Tripoli's residents," ministry spokesman Abdel-Razaq al-Shabahi.
"This is a positive step, which will help establish security and stability in Tripoli," he added.
The official said that the militiamen would withdraw from Tripoli, except for those wishing to join the national army.
Militiamen from the western city of Misrata on Friday opened fire at protesters, who had marched to militia bases to demand that they leave Tripoli and allow police and the army to take over security.
Libya's post-revolution rulers have been struggling to assert authority and re-establish security amid a proliferation of weapons and militias.
The North African country's longtime leader Moamer Gaddafi was captured and killed in October 2011.