• 10 years ago
"Truthfully, this assembly is not under any pressure and will not accept any pressure, as far as the current Islamist influence goes," says Ali Tarhouni, Head of the Libyan Constitution Drafting Assembly.

"I would like to assure to all Libyans that 56 members are Muslims and they are the members that are involved in writing this constitution and therefore this is a fundamental perspective, we agree that the Shariah law will be the main source of legislation of this Constitution.

"This will be a big part in implementing this constitution in the right way. After all it is Libya's Muslim sons and daughters that are taking part in this and they are the people that will accomplish this historical event."

Tarhouni adds that the assembly has made real progress with drafting the legal framework.

"At the start of this assembly, the assembly was divided into eight different types of committees. Every committee received one or two sections and have started their work, and I would like to comfort and assure our beloved citizens that during this week most of the committees have finished their main primary sections.

"These articles - which are so far just suggested articles - have reached more than 380 in number. The next step is that the committees' suggested articles will be brought in front of the assembly to be discussed and to be approved."

Libya has experienced months of violence leaving hundreds dead and displacing tens of thousands more.

Tarhouni is hopeful the new constitution will help ease the security crisis.

"The Libyan constitution will be one of the few constitutions that will have a separate section that will be called Police and Army. This committee has finished its output and the focus is that there will be a professional army which will not follow any certain ideology except the loyalty to God and the nation," he says.

"There will also be a police force that is well organised and its main duty will be the protection of our citizens and their rights. Therefore this issue is very important, I think once we establish this, we will establish safety, stability and comfort to all Libyans."

Libya is a deeply divided country with two rival parliaments vying for power.

Tarhouni says the assembly is working for the benefit of all Libyan citizens.

"What is good about this assembly is that this assembly involves all Libyans, we have the Amizgh group that is not with us now but we are hoping that they will join us soon, we also have our brothers from Derna that are not with us now, but the important thing is that all Libyans are represented in this assembly and we agreed to write a constitution for all Libyans."

He adds: "I am hoping that once the constitution is complete and come out in the very near future, it will express the aspirations of all Libya's sons and daughters, I think this is what all Libyans are looking forward to and this is what will protect this constitution in God willing."

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