Tension is high in Libya’s capital, according to a Maltese businessman, as the Government’s ultimatum for militias to lay down arms expired yesterday evening.

I’d advise people to keep their heads low this week

Mario Debono said the 48-hour deadline was largely successful in Tripoli but a few militias were still violently resisting orders to put down their weapons.

They are mostly Islamist-led and command heavily fortified areas, he said when contacted yesterday on his return from Libya.

“There is a lot of tension in Tripoli and although most militias have downed weapons or accepted to join the army’s command structure, I’d advise people to keep their heads low this week,” Mr Debono said.

In the wake of an attack by Islamist militants on the US embassy in Benghazi earlier this month, which left ambassador Chris Stevens and three staff members dead, the Libyan Government has been riding a wave of popular support and ordered the disarmament of the militias.

Armed groups formed the core of the rebel movement that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi last year and weapons owned by the militias and individuals have posed a security threat for the fledgling, post-Gaddafi Government.

The militias had 48 hours to give up their weapons and hand over any government property they occupied. Mr Debono believes the army has popular backing and is strong enough to take action and enforce the Government’s orders.

But David Bloss, a US journalist based in Tripoli with the Institute for War and Peace, is less confident of the army’s ability.

Describing the situation in the capital as “generally peaceful”, he said Libyans were hoping the security forces will reach a negotiated settlement.

“It is way too early to say how the situation will turn out if the militias continue to ignore the orders but the Government is trying hard to persuade because they still do not have the muscle to enforce the ultimatum,” Mr Bloss said.

During a visit to Tripoli in June, Central Bank of Malta governor Josef Bonnici was the unintended victim of militiamen who seized Libyan Government cars to make up for unsettled dues.

Prof. Bonnici was stopped at a heavily armed checkpoint on the way to his hotel after leaving the airport. The Maltese delegation was eventually allowed to proceed unharmed in different cars.