Libya: Red Valley rebels reject federalism

The Chairman of Libya's Elders Council, Mohammed al-Maghrabi, defended the sit-in held by hundreds of rebels and residents of the Red Valley region, 350km to the west of Benghazi, saying the protesters' demands are not at all linked to federalism calls. "The Red Valley protesters have legitimate and rightful demands, and I can affirm these demands are totally different from what is alleged by the media, as the people here never supported federalism", Maghrabi said during a visit to the region. The protesters, who entered their third week of sit-ins, have issued a statement in which they highlighted  their insistence on Libya's unity, while also stressing that the sit -in will continue untill their demands are answered. The Red Valley people want  to establish the electorate on a geographical rather than population basis in order to ensure equal representation for all the country's regions in the National General Congress, which is supposed to draft the state's new constitution. This means that the Red Valley in the east, and Ajdabia in the west would be shifted to the fourth circle instead of the fifth. The protesters also called on the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) and the interim government to give priority to clear the Red Valley of mines left by Gaddafi's troops, which still cause daily casualties, according to residents. They are also seeking improvements inf the region's  infrastructure, as well as emphasising the need to build a state based on justice and good governance.