Libyan law bars Gadhafi-era officials

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TRIPOLI, Libya, May 6 (UPI) -- A law passed by the Libyan Parliament banning former regime members from government office is too vague, Human Rights Watch said.

Libyan lawmakers passed a measure by a two-thirds plus-one majority to bar anyone who served in an official capacity from 1969-2011 in Libya from holding political office. While measure is said to have wide support, some citizens said they were suspicious of ulterior motives, the BBC reports.

Armed men stormed the building housing the Libyan Foreign Ministry last month, calling for a moratorium on hiring officials from the regime of Moammar Gadhafi, who died during the 2011 civil war.

Libyan security has lapsed in the wake of the war. Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said after the April attacks that Libyans should rally around the central government, which he said is struggling against those who want to see the post-Gadhafi government fail.

Director for Middle East programs for Human Rights Watch Sarah Leah Whitson said her organization was concerned about the broad scope of the measure.

"This law is far too vague, potentially barring anyone who ever worked for the authorities during the four decades of Gadhafi's rule," she said in a statement.

Zeidan and General National Congress speaker Mohamed Magariaf both served as diplomats during the Gadhafi era.