Libya burning, two dead
Feb 16th, 2011 | By Bikya Masr Staff | Category: North Africa
At least two protesters in the Eastern Libyan city of Benghazi have been killed and dozens more wounded in anti-government protests in the country aiming to end over four decades of Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. Government security forces reportedly arrived to put down the demonstration and massive violence has ensued.
Information is difficult to come by from the country, as communications and the Internet is slow, with reports from activists that the government could shut down all communications with the outside world in the near future.
According to eyewitnesses, the clashes were triggered by the arrest of an outspoken critic of the government, BBC reported. Although the lawyer was allegedly released, demonstrations continued, which then led to an attack by police on the peaceful demonstrators.
According to video and accounts on the ground, “police are beating people up and killing people.” Thousands of protesters have been in the streets now for almost one full day, with activists now calling the movement the February 17 Revolution.
Protesters and online activists following the situation and disseminating news worldwide say stones were thrown at police who are said to have responded with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets.
Later, state television showed pictures of several hundred people in Benghazi voicing their support for the government. The government has so far not commented on events in the city.
One activist sent Bikya Masr an email on Wednesday morning, saying Western media was resorting to lies attributed to the Gaddafi government.
“We are being attacked, beaten and a couple of us have been killed. What more can be said? Now they are going to shut off the Internet, but it won’t stop us in our cause to end 40 years of corruption, torture, violence and the murdering of our fellow Libyans,” was all the email said. The author, who identified himself as Abdel Majid, did not elaborate further on what was happening on the ground.
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[...] Secondo Bikya Masr i manifestanti si conterebbero a migliaia, non a centinaia. [...]
[...] With Egypt style protests taking place in Bahrain and Iran this week, demonstrations have also surfaced in Libya. On Wednesday, about 200 hundred protesters, according to CNN, demonstrated in Benghazi, the country’s second largest city, in support of detained human rights lawyer Fathi Terbil. Media reports claimed that protesters threw stones at police who fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. So far, 38 people have been reported injured. Libyan state television further claimed that the protests were actually in support of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. Regime opponents are reportedly using Facebook to organize a “day of rage” scheduled for Thursday. Benghazi has a reputation as a stronghold of regime opponents. According to the website BikyaMasr, two protesters were killed. [...]
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