Libyan militia chief said tortured, killed

TRIPOLI, Libya, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Former Libyan rebel leaders allegedly detained, tortured and killed a militia leader, family members say.

In a new effort to disarm Moammar Gadhafi loyalists around Gharyan, 50 miles south of Tripoli, former rebel leaders went to the town of Assabia last week to arrest people suspected of having ties to the former regime.

The Assabia armed brigade allegedly refused to hand over the suspects, which triggered an outbreak of fighting. Militia leader Izzedine al-Ghool was taken after fighting began.

Al-Ghool's family denies that Izzedine had any ties to the regime.

The BBC has been denied permission to see the body, but a nurse who helped to examine the body told BBC reporters al-Ghool had been subjected to electric shocks and savage beatings.

A senior member of the Gharyan council said claims of torture would be investigated, and perpetrators brought to justice; however, he admitted that officials have little power to control militias who have yet to hand in their weapons.

In early January, Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim al-Keib warned of the risk of civil war while militias remain armed.