Libyan Soldiers 'Burned Alive' By Comrades

6:37am UK, Sunday February 27, 2011

Dominic Waghorn, Middle East correspondent, in Benghazi

Dozens of Libyan soldiers who refused to fight protesters in the city of Benghazi were burned alive by their own forces, residents have told Sky News.

They said there were the charred remains of 13 troops in a room in a former military compound.

Residents added there were a total of 67 bodies in the base, which appears to be more evidence of crimes against humanity.

The city, in the east of the country, is Libya’s second largest and is now under the control of anti-regime groups after they overwhelmed dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

A soldier has admitted he opened fire on crowds. He said he and his comrades were threatened with death if they refused to shoot.

Doctors have told Sky News that a total of 500 people, mostly pro-democracy supporters, were killed and another 1,900 hurt in the uprising in Benghazi which started over a week ago.

It is claimed the anti-government demonstrators were mainly unarmed apart from some having knives - but they overpowered government forces through sheer weight of numbers.

Meanwhile, at a courthouse a committee of 13 experts has discussed how to run various services in the city, including security and sewage.

But they pointed out they did not want people to view them as trying to hijack the revolution and were waiting for Tripoli to fall before declaring a new government.

Read more on Libya:

:: Brits flee 'terrifying' scenes 

:: Gaddafi arms supporters