Britain vows to support Libyan transition

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TRIPOLI, Libya, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Great Britain will stand by the new Libyan government as it works to improve the security situation in the country, a British government minster said.

A trial began Tuesday for former Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Ali Mahmudi, the Tripoli Post reports. He's charged with money laundering to support fighters loyal to former leader Moammar Gadhafi, who died last year after falling into rebel hands.

British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said he was stressing the importance of securing justice for victims of Gadhafi's regime who live in his country. Some Gadhafi's supporters were accused of committing war crimes during last year's war.

Burt, during his visit to Tripoli, said the post-Gadhafi government in Libya faces "many challenges," ranging from strengthening its justice system to integrating various armed groups back into society.

"These challenges are significant but the British government will continue to support Libya throughout its transition," he said in a statement.

Washington had said al-Qaida may have played a role in September attacks in Benghazi that left U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three staff members dead. Security concerns were the subject of recent congressional investigations.