Libyan Leader: We'll Be Ruled by Sharia

Laws contrary to Islam will be nullified: Mustafa Abdul Jalil
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 24, 2011 1:05 AM CDT
Updated Oct 24, 2011 7:42 AM CDT
Libyan Leader: We'll Be Ruled by Sharia
Libyan Transitional National Council chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil proclaims yesterday that Libya will be ruled by Sharia law.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The leader of Libya's transitional government has announced that the nation will be ruled by Islamic Sharia law. Sharia will be the "basic source for all law" in Libya, Mustafa Abdul Jalil told thousands of supporters at a "liberation" ceremony in Benghazi yesterday. Current laws that contradict the teachings of Islam will be nullified, he added. New banks will be established because Islamic law bans the charging of interest, reports CBS News. "We are now united. We have become brothers in love. This revolution was looked after by God to achieve victory," Jalil told the crowd.

Leaders will form an interim government within a month, and parliamentary elections will eventually be held, he added. President Obama issued a statement yesterday saying that "Libyan authorities should continue living up to their commitments to respect human rights, begin a national reconciliation process, secure weapons and dangerous materials, and bring together armed groups under a unified civilian leadership." (More Mustafa Abdul Jalil stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X