Libya’s interior minister, Fawzi Abdelali, resigned on August 26 to protest criticism from the newly elected General National Congress (GNC) over his handling of the desecration of Muslim shrines last week. Security forces under Abdelali were accused of neglecting their duty by not stopping the destruction of the shrines. Interim President Mohammed al-Magarief stated it was “regrettable and suspect” that members of the security forces and former rebels may have participated in the attacks. Members of the GNC also accused members of the security forces of being Qadaffi loyalists. After the lawmakers’ criticism, high ranking security officials reportedly responded by ordering their forces off the streets.