Dozens killed as protests hit Tripoli
Source: Agencies |
February 22, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DOZENS of people were reported killed in Libya overnight as anti-government protests reached the capital Tripoli for the first time and several cities in the east appeared to be in the hands of the opposition.
One of Muammar Gaddafi's sons said the veteran leader would fight the popular revolt that has shaken his 40-year rule until "the last man standing."
Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli's streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition in a revolt that has cost the lives of more than 200 people. Protesters said they had taken control of Benghazi and one other city.
Output at one of the country's oil fields was reported to have been stopped by a workers' strike. Some European oil companies withdrew expatriate workers and suspended operations.
Most of the country's oil fields are in the east, south of Benghazi, the cradle of the current unrest.
Anti-government protests have also broken out in the central town of Ras Lanuf, the site of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex, Libya's Quryna newspaper reported on its website yesterday. The town is in Sirte, Gaddafi's home region.
A coalition of Libyan Muslim leaders told all Muslims to rebel against the Libyan leadership because of their "bloody crimes against humanity."
With autocratic governments already toppled by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, there was a sense that Gaddafi's iron grip was being severely tested.
In signs of disagreement inside Libya's ruling elite, the justice minister resigned in protest at the "excessive use of violence" against protesters.
Libya's ambassador to India told the BBC he was resigning in protest at the violent crackdown.
European nations watched developments in Libya with a growing sense of alarm after the government in Tripoli said it would suspend cooperation on stemming the flow of illegal immigrants across the Mediterranean.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, on a visit to the region, said events in Libya were appalling.
Al Jazeera television quoted medical sources as saying 61 people had been killed in the latest protests in Tripoli.
One of Muammar Gaddafi's sons said the veteran leader would fight the popular revolt that has shaken his 40-year rule until "the last man standing."
Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli's streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition in a revolt that has cost the lives of more than 200 people. Protesters said they had taken control of Benghazi and one other city.
Output at one of the country's oil fields was reported to have been stopped by a workers' strike. Some European oil companies withdrew expatriate workers and suspended operations.
Most of the country's oil fields are in the east, south of Benghazi, the cradle of the current unrest.
Anti-government protests have also broken out in the central town of Ras Lanuf, the site of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex, Libya's Quryna newspaper reported on its website yesterday. The town is in Sirte, Gaddafi's home region.
A coalition of Libyan Muslim leaders told all Muslims to rebel against the Libyan leadership because of their "bloody crimes against humanity."
With autocratic governments already toppled by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, there was a sense that Gaddafi's iron grip was being severely tested.
In signs of disagreement inside Libya's ruling elite, the justice minister resigned in protest at the "excessive use of violence" against protesters.
Libya's ambassador to India told the BBC he was resigning in protest at the violent crackdown.
European nations watched developments in Libya with a growing sense of alarm after the government in Tripoli said it would suspend cooperation on stemming the flow of illegal immigrants across the Mediterranean.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, on a visit to the region, said events in Libya were appalling.
Al Jazeera television quoted medical sources as saying 61 people had been killed in the latest protests in Tripoli.
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