BENGHAZI: Libya is seeking to revise existing legislation to make it conform more to Islamic Shariah law, a justice ministry document shows.
The text announces the establishment of a “committee charged with revising current legislation and to propose amendments that would not contradict the fundamental rules and regulations of Islamic law”.
It said the 16-strong committee would be nominated by the supreme court and the Mufti, a religious expert on sharia.
The committee, which would be chaired by a judge, would also include professors from Islamic universities, according to the document.
Legislation amended by the committee would then be presented before Libya’s top legislative authority the General National Congress for adoption.
One law imposing strict restrictions on polygamy, that was instituted by the regime of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled and killed in 2011, was abolished after the revolution.
The justice ministry’s plan would appear to be aimed at satisfying the demands of Salafist, or extremist Sunni Muslim, groups in the nation.
On Tuesday, Ansar Al Sharia, Libya’s top jihadist group that has been blamed for unrest including a deadly attack on a US mission, said only Islamic law can boost security in the increasingly lawless country.
The heavily armed group of ex-rebels is based in Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 uprising.
AFP
