Tripoli (ANTARA News/AFP) - Libya`s security forces will integrate 50,000 fighters who battled loyalists of late dictator Moamer Kadhafi, the country`s interim interior minister said on Thursday.

Fawzi Abdelali said the fighters from all of the combat brigades who fought on the front line would join the ranks of the security forces of the defence and interior ministries.

He said a "committee of fighters" was formed by the National Transitional Council to carry out the integration of former rebels into security forces.

Abdelali, who was speaking at a function marking the completion of training of a batch of former rebels by French police, gave no time frame for their adhesion.

The minister said the integration plan would be announced officially next week, adding the North African country planned to rehabilitate 200,000 fighters over the long term.

Tens of thousands of Libyan civilians took up arms when the anti-Kadhafi rebellion erupted in February.

They captured city after city over an eight-month period before finally overthrowing his 42-year-old regime. The dictator himself was captured and killed on October 20.

Abdelali promised a "qualitative change" in the security situation over the next three months, saying at present security forces were not robustly seen on the streets.

He also said that the interior ministry would soon take control of land borders, airports and ports.

"The control of land border crossings, sea and air is a key factor that gives an idea to everyone about the existence of a state authority," he said.

"From next week we will start taking control of border posts (with Tunisia) in the west and gradually move to airports."

On Wednesday, Tunisian authorities closed a border post after an unspecified incident involving Libyan national and Tunisian customs officials.

The Tripoli international airport, meanwhile, is controlled by a faction of the Zintan brigade. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011