Unrest reported in Libya

[High_Gravity]

PARIS — The wave of turmoil and protests sweeping the Middle East appeared on Wednesday to have reached Libya, ruled for four decades by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, according to news reports.

Related
The Lede Blog: Latest Updates on Middle East Protests (February 16, 2011) The eruption of violence in Libya’s second city, Benghazi, was not reported in the state-run media, which said rallies would be held Wednesday in support of Colonel Qaddafi — a tactic reflecting the pro-government demonstrations unleashed on protests in Egypt and Yemen.

Resorting to a time-honored technique among Arab leaders, Colonel Qaddafi tried to deflect attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, delivering a speech Wednesday urging Arabs to join in a mass march on Israel. He also reportedly said he would like to join the Libyan protesters himself, to improve the performance of a government that he professes not to have a hand in running.

Quryna, a privately owned newspaper in Benghazi, said a crowd armed with gasoline bombs and rocks protested outside a government office to demand the release of a human rights activist, Reuters reported. The demonstrators, numbering at least several hundred and possibly more, went to the central Shajara Square and clashed with police.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/world/middleeast/17libya.html?_r=1&hp

 

[Toro]

Fascinating stuff.

 

[Jos]

Libya protests: Al-Bayda security chief 'sacked'

A regional head of security has been removed from his post following clashes with protesters in the Libyan town of al-Bayda on Wednesday which left several people dead, local media say.

BBC News - Libya protests: Al-Bayda security chief 'sacked'

 

[High_Gravity]

The fact that protests in Libya continue despite the killing of at least four demonstrators since Tuesday suggests that Muammar Gaddafi could be facing the most sustained challenge yet to his 41-year rule. But there are crucial differences between Libya and its neighbors, Tunisia and Egypt, where the overthrow of dictators since the New Year has passed largely peacefully, and Gaddafi's regime is unlikely to fall without a bloody fight.

Armed pro-government demonstrators clashed with Gaddafi opponents on what opposition groups had dubbed a "Day of Rage", Thursday, and the AP has reported dissidents claiming that at least 14 people have been killed in the clashes. Earlier, human-rights organizations and Libyan exile groups said they feared demonstrators could face a lethal crackdown from security forces.

Read more: Blood Flows as Libya's Gaddafi Cracks Down on Protest - TIME

 

[High_Gravity]

(CAIRO) — Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi drove through his nation's capital in a motorcade, drawing a cheering crowd as the long-time ruler tried to rally support amid reports of widening anti-government protests.

Protests have erupted in several cities in Libya this week, especially in the east, and the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Friday that 24 people were killed in unrest on Wednesday and Thursday.

Gaddafi's open-roofed car slowly made its way through the streets of the capital Tripoli late Thursday. In footage broadcast by Libyan TV, the motorcade was thronged by cheering supporters. Some pushed toward the car to try to reach Gaddafi and shake hands. "We do not want any other leader but Gaddafi!" one woman shouted.

In the eastern city of Benghazi, hundreds of protesters camped out Friday in the center of the city. Calls to join funeral processions for those killed in clashes with pro-government forces spread on Facebook and websites.

One of the protesters, Nizar Jebail, owner of an advertising company, said he spent the night in front of the city's court building. He said he wants not just reforms, "but freedom and equality."

"There are lawyers, judges, men and some women here, demanding the ouster of Gaddafi. Forty-two years of dictatorship are enough," he told The Associated Press by phone.

"We don't have tents yet but residents provided us with blankets and food. We learned from Tunisia and Egypt," he said.

Read more: Gaddafi Rallies Supporters amid Widening Protests - TIME

 

[California Girl]

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood is positioning itself to lead an 'Islamic Democracy'. For anyone who does not see the problem with that, I pity you.

 

[High_Gravity]

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood is positioning itself to lead an 'Islamic Democracy'. For anyone who does not see the problem with that, I pity you.

If thats true the life of normal Egyptians will get 10 times worse, there are no governments run by Islamic Extremists that offer civil rights and economic opportunities for their people. I have a feeling people are going to long for the days of Mubarak.

 

[JOEBIALEK]

This letter is in response to the articles covering the civil unrest
occurring in Libya.

As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of the
Libyan people. Their efforts are similar to what is happening in Yemen,
Algeria and Bahrain as well as the most recent revolutions in Egypt and
Tunisia.

Believe it or not, one thing that trumps capitalism and political
correctness in the United States is the right to have one's voice heard.
This is the foundation of which our democracy is built on. The Libyan
people should continue to defy Moammar Gadhafi's powerful
security forces so that Libyan democracy can begin to thrive. It is
unfortunate that the United States compromised on one of its most
fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in the
Middle East; something that happens all too often domestically as well.
It is not the Libyan people that are attempting to seize power but rather
it is those currently in power who have engaged in intimidation to prevent
the will of the people from being heard. Why else would they stoop to such
underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the
citizens of Libya? Why is the government in power utilizing such
political strong-arm tactics as the use of violence?

Moammar Gadhafi, you have had forty-two years to lead Libya and have
failed them by your own choosing. The days of the despotic regime are
finally coming to an end as it appears the desire for freedom will continue
to sweep among the Arab nations. Accordingly, let the call go forth among
all citizens of Libya that your brothers and sisters of democracy from all
over the world are with you during every trial and tribulation you may
encounter during this crisis. To the people of Libya, the trumpet of
freedom beckons you to rise in protest and ensure your voice to preserve
your sacred heritage, promote your children's future and obtain the
blessings of liberty we all cherish. Moammar Gadhafi, let the people
go!

JOE BIALEK
Cleveland, OH USA

 

[waltky]

Libya massacres 100 peaceful protesters...

Libya, Yemen crack down; Bahrain pulls back tanks
Feb 19,`11 -- Security forces in Libya and Yemen fired on pro-democracy demonstrators Saturday as the two hard-line regimes struck back against the wave of protests that has already toppled autocrats in Egypt and Tunisia. At least 15 died when police shot into crowds of mourners in Libya's second-largest city, a hospital official said.

Even as Bahrain's king bowed to international pressure and withdrew tanks to allow demonstrators to retake a symbolic square in the capital, Libya's Moammar Gadhafi and Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh made clear they plan to stamp out opposition and not be dragged down by the reform movements that have grown in nations from Algeria to Djibouti to Jordan. Libyans returned to the street for a fifth straight day of protests against Gadhafi, the most serious uprising in his 42-year reign, despite estimates by human rights groups of 84 deaths in the North African country - with 35 on Friday alone.

Saturday's deaths, which would push the overall toll to 99, occurred when snipers fired on thousands of mourners in Benghazi, a focal point of unrest, as they attended the funerals of other protesters, a hospital official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. "Many of the dead and the injured are relatives of doctors here," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "They are crying and I keep telling them to please stand up and help us."

Earlier, special forces had attacked hundreds of demonstrators, including lawyers and judges, who were camped out in front of a courthouse in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city. Authorities also cut off the Internet across Libya, further isolating the country. Just after 2 a.m. local time in Libya, the U.S.-based Arbor Networks security company detected a total cessation of online traffic. Protesters confirmed they could not get online.

Reports could not be independently confirmed. Information is tightly controlled in Libya, where journalists cannot work freely, and activists this week have posted videos on the Internet that have been an important source of images of the revolt. Other information about the protests has come from opposition activists in exile.

MORE

See also:

Nearly 100 killed in Libyan crackdown on unrest
Feb 19,`11 -- Libyan forces opened fire on mourners leaving a funeral for protesters Saturday in the flashpoint city of Benghazi, and a medical official said 15 people were killed, with bodies piling up in a hospital and doctors collapsing in grief at the sight of dead relatives.

The deaths pushed the overall estimated death toll to 99 in five days of unprecedented protests against the 42-year reign of Moammar Gadhafi. Government forces also wiped out a protest encampment and clamped down on Internet service throughout the North African nation. As relatives buried their dead, they fell victim to a mixture of special commandos, foreign mercenaries and Gadhafi loyalists armed with knives, Kalashnikovs and even anti-aircraft missiles trying to quell the demonstrations, witnesses said.

"The blood of our martyrs is still leaking from coffins over the shoulders of the mourners," one female protester, who is also a lawyer, said while standing in front of about 20 coffins lined up in front of the Northern Court building in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city and the epicenter of the current unrest. Before Saturday's violence, Human Rights Watch had estimated at least 84 people have been killed.

Hospitals ran low on medical supplies and were packed with bodies shot in the chest and head, said the medical official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisal. "Many of the dead and the injured are relatives of doctors here," the official, who provided the figure of 15 dead, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "They are crying, and I keep telling them to please stand up and help us."

Information is tightly controlled in Libya, where journalists cannot work freely, and some of the accounts could not be independently confirmed. Other information comes from opposition activists in exile.

MORE

 

[Jos]

Libya17Feb - live streaming video powered by Livestream
Says oil fields attacked

 

[Mr. H.]

Holy shit that's wild. There's a chat window with the feed. Very sobering.

 

[Mr. H.]

People are warning NOT to click on links in chat window as they have planted viruses.

 

[Mr. H.]

Some posters saying Gadaffi captured?
Oil on fire?

 

[Mr. H.]

Check it out while you can- I bet this will be taken offline soon.

 

[Mini 14]

A female Doctor is whipping the crowd into a frenzy now.....
"40 years of tyranny".....

Scary shit.

 

[Mr. H.]

Agents in chatroom.
Someone trying to translate.
Someone posting phone # to CNN Atlanta.

Interesting.

 

[Mr. H.]

Young men falling like fall leaves.

Heavy police presence.

No shit folks- check it out-

 

[Mini 14]

She was appealing for help from the Tripolians.

That is a real powderkeg.....looks and sounds like complete chaos.

 

[Jos]

Type in a message, choose a nik and let them know the world is watching

 

[Mr. H.]

Gadaffi's house in Zawia?