Stung by an international outcry over the execution of Muammar Qaddafi by a lynch mob, Libya’s new rulers on Oct 27 promised to try the killers. “We had already launched an investigation. We have issued a code of ethics in handling of prisoners of war. There were some violations by those who are unfortunately described as revolutionaries. I am sure that was an individual act and not an act of revolutionaries or the national army,” Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC), said. “Whoever is responsible for that (Qaddafi’s killing) will be judged and given a fair trial.”
His statement came hours before the UN Security Council voted unanimously to lift the no-fly zone over Libya on Oct 31 and end its authorisation of military action. The council authorised the actions on March 17 in response to an Arab League request to try to halt Qaddafi’s military. The NATO bombing campaign that followed was critical in helping the rebels oust Qaddafi from power.