TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The proliferation of weapons in Libya is a major concern and the new rulers need to establish a proper police force and army to replace the hundreds of armed groups who patrol the streets, the United Nations special adviser on Libya said on Sunday.

Ian Martin, in Libya to compile a report for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on rebuilding the country after its civil war, also said the interim government needed to start the electoral process soon if it is to honor its commitment to establish democracy.

TAJOURA, Libya (Reuters) – When Muammar Gaddafi’s soldiers fled this corner of a field outside Tripoli where they were camped, they left behind their army fatigues, a can of Brut deodorant — and a Scud tactical missile.

Days later, the Soviet-made rocket, loaded on its launch truck and pointing toward the Libyan capital, is still sitting under the eucalyptus trees where they left it. The motley rebel forces who overthrew Gaddafi two weeks ago have set up no guard to prevent anyone taking it away or looting it for parts.

TAJOURA, Libya (Reuters) – When Muammar Gaddafi’s soldiers fled this corner of a field outside Tripoli where they were camped, they left behind their army fatigues, a can of Brut deodorant — and a Scud tactical missile.

Days later, the Soviet-made rocket, loaded on its launch truck and pointing towards the Libyan capital, is still sitting under the eucalyptus trees where they left it. The motley rebel forces who overthrew Gaddafi two weeks ago have set up no guard to prevent anyone taking it away or looting it for parts.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s new leadership reaffirmed its commitment to democracy on Friday and worked on its priorities for spending billions of dollars released from the frozen assets of fugitive strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

A day after international powers met in Paris and agreed to hand over more than $15 billion to the rebels who overthrew Gaddafi the European Union rescinded a range of sanctions and officials from the National Transitional Council explained their rebuilding plans.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The huge numbers of weapons circulating in a postwar Libya with unsecured borders pose a risk to Europe and other nations, the European Union’s senior representative in Tripoli said on Friday.

Western states have given their support to the rebel forces which, after six months of fighting ended Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule in Libya, but they are concerned groups such as al Qaeda’s North African wing could exploit any power vacuum.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Cut off from the outside world and fearful of attack by former rebels bent on revenge, people in the town of Bani Walid may well be playing host to Muammar Gaddafi but might also be ready to negotiate with Libya’s new rulers.

A Libyan from the desert town who is well known to Reuters journalists said Friday that he had been in sporadic contact this week with people in Bani Walid, where commanders for the interim government have focussed their hunt for Gaddafi.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s new leadership reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and good governance on Friday as they worked on how to spend billions of dollars they have been given from the frozen assets of fugitive strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

A day after international powers met in Paris and agreed to hand over $15 billion to the rebels who overthrew Gaddafi last week, the European Union, a key trading partner, rescinded a range of sanctions and officials from the National Transitional Council told financiers about their initial rebuilding plans.

ALGIERS, Aug 16 (Reuters) – The battle to control Libya has entered its final phase when Muammar Gaddafi must make a choice: to seek a negotiated exit or to defend his capital to the last bullet.

Rebels with support from NATO warplanes have, over the past 48 hours, taken key towns around Gaddafi’s stronghold in Tripoli in a dramatic series of advances which cut the city off from supplies of fuel and food.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – The battle to control Libya has entered its final phase when Muammar Gaddafi must make a choice: to seek a negotiated exit or to defend his capital to the last bullet.

Rebels with support from NATO warplanes have, over the past 48 hours, taken key towns around Gaddafi’s stronghold in Tripoli in a dramatic series of advances which cut the city off from supplies of fuel and food.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Behind his image as a crazed tyrant, Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi is fiercely intelligent, loves his family and just might do what everyone is least expecting and let go of power.

The battle over Libya, now in its fifth month, is a contest of Western military technology, money, oil, diplomacy, rag-tag rebels and a stubborn system of government that has refused to be swept away by the wave of “Arab Spring” uprisings.