Chris Stephen: Tripoli in Lockdown as Libya Authorities Drive out Militias.

Security forces deployed across Libya's capital as government sets two-week deadline for gunmen to disarm and leave. Tripoli's residents awoke on Wednesday to a city in lock-down as security forces were deployed across the capital to clamp down on rogue militias. After weeks of sporadic violence and night-time anarchy, the government is making a determined effort to rid the city of gunmen, giving militias two weeks to leave or disarm. Side streets were blocked with trucks, rubble or piles of timber, and vehicles on main roads were searched for weapons. The measures, set to continue for the rest of December, were announced by the prime minister, Abdurrahim el-Keib, in response to a series of shoot-outs in recent days. "The people demand safety provided by legitimate government enforcement bodies, and it is our duty to respond," said Razzak Abuhajar, chairman of Tripoli council. The government, whose cabinet were sworn in last weekend has given militias until 20 December to come under state control, or face the consequences. Tripoli's residents also have until the end of the year to turn in firearms, in what the authorities hope will end the wild-west image the city has been gaining. "We have had complaints from the citizens," said the interior minister, Fawzi Abdel Aal. "We have a compre-hensive plan to integrate all fighters who are willing to work with the interior ministry."