TRIPOLI — The General National Congress (GNC), has passed a legislation reinforcing the right of peaceful demonstration but forbidding the carrying of even licensed weapons at any protest. The GNC itself has been subject to disruption by demonstrators. Most recently, the legislature was stormed by protesters opposing members of Prime Minister Zeidan's cabinet, which resulted in a postponement of the voting in of the country's new ministers. During the interrupted voting session, several congressmen said that they could not vote under duress and the session was rescheduled to the following day, derailing a key moment in Libya's democracy building. During the attempted storming of the GNC by armed protestors, on May 8, Ali Meilood Al-Gaoud, a security official was killed and four others injured. Protestors armed with light and heavy weapons tried to force their way into the building. The new law gives citizens, political parties, civil society organizations and trade unions the right to organize demonstrations, in accordance with the interim constitution, while maintaining public order and ensuring that public facilities are not obstructed. Article Four of the law stipulates that each rally, protest or sit-in must have an organizing committee, consisting of a head and two members, whose names must be submitted to the security department responsible for safeguarding the location of the planned protest. This organizing committee is responsible for maintaining order during the protest, and must prevent actions and speech that incite violence or threaten public order. The organizing committee must submit a written request to the Security Directorate, including date and place of the demonstration, 48 hours before the protest. The authorities may choose to change the location and date of the planned protest, 24 hours before it takes place, if it is deemed a threat to the public interest and safety. The protest organizers may contest the ban through the Ministry of Interior. In accordance with the law, authorities may not ban a protest unless deemed a threat to public security. — Libya Herald
