Libya: UN Calls for End to Violence

Tripoli---The United Nations has urged both sides in the Libyan conflict to desist from acts of violence and revenge following emerging reports implicating both the rebels and forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi of abuses and alleged summary killings.

UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told the Reuters news agency that an existing Commission of Inquiry on Libya will investigate claims of summary killings and torture allegedly committed by both sides. He urged those in positions of authority in Libya to take active steps to ensure that no crimes or acts of revenge are committed.

Recovered bodies of victims have been taken for examination for possible evidence to be used at the war crimes tribunal. Rights group Amnesty International has asserted on possessing powerful testimonies of abuses by both sides in the coastal town of Zawiya, including allegations of violence by rebels against African migrant workers accused of being mercenaries.

The call comes after the world body said it will release $ 1.5bn in Libyan assets frozen in US banks to be used for humanitarian aid. The decision follows an agreement between the US and South Africa which had blocked the release on the Security Council’s sanctions committee, saying it would recognise the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as legitimate leaders of Libya.

Rebel forces in the capital, Tripoli, continue to step up their campaigns to clear the city of pockets of resistance, storming neighbourhoods of Ghargour and Bab al-Aziziya known to be strongholds of the besieged leader. On Thursday heavy gunfight was witnessed in the city’s Abu Salim district, where rebels swept through houses and streets, flushing out snipers.

The NTC said on Thursday it was moving its political leadership to Tripoli from its stronghold in Benghazi in a move to assume work in the capital. Elsewhere rebel forces attempting to reach Col Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte were met with fierce resistance.

Gaddafi, whom the rebels have offered bounty for his capture or death, described his opponents as rats in a short audio broadcast on Thursday, denouncing involvement of the international community in the Libyan crisis.

NATO which is enforcing the UN resolution to protect civilians has said it will aid the rebels in their hunt for Mr. Gaddafi and members of his government.


Abuja, Nigeria

12 Die in Attacks in Northern Nigeria

At least 12 people have died in northern Nigeria during fierce attacks on a police station and two banks, allegedly conducted by the members of the radical Boko Haram group, authorities have said.

Police officials say at least four police officers, one soldier and seven bank workers were killed when assailers stormed the Gombi town on Thursday, where they first bombed the police station before raiding the town’s two Union and First Banks, making away with unknown amount of cash.

The police have blamed the killing on the outlawed Boko Haram Islamic sect which has been responsible for recent series of attacks in the region, mainly targeting the police and outdoor social gatherings.

Boko Haram which opposes western-styled education, calls for adoption of Islamic “Sharia” laws in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria, where it has been carrying out its trademarked attacks using gunmen on motorbikes shooting indiscriminately.

The group was responsible for the June’s bombing of police headquarters in Abuja among other recent bomb attacks in the north-eastern state of Maiduguri where its based, causing an exodus of thousands fleeing insecurity in the region.

A joint police-military task force formed to hunt down the sect members has been accused of its high-handedness towards civilians, whom it claims are supporting and hiding the sect members.

Elsewhere rights lobby group Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency for failing to tackle corrupt politicians saying that the country's political system continued to reward rather than punish corruption.

The report "Corruption on Trial?" says that despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting 30 politicians, only four were convicted and none are now in prison.

Though the agency has had significant success in fighting corruption in the private sector, public sector remains ridden, which from a human rights point of view is key because corruption in the government has undermined basic rights of millions in the country.

The report says the EFCC was the most promising agency to confront corruption in the country, having recovered over $11bn in its eight years of operation. corruption in public administration in Nigeria has been fuelled by the vast oil resources, leading to dissident uprisings by the dissatisfied civilians.