Libya: Four Protesters Killed, 20 Wounded in Benghazi in Demonstrations Against Armed Groups

Demonstrators in Benghazi as they stormed the headquarters of Ansar al-Sharia base in the city forcing the brigade to abandon site on Friday night.

Πηγή: Tripoli Post
Sept 22 2012

Benghazi—Four protesters killed in Benghazi Friday night and over 20 wounded when demonstrators moved against armed groups in the city stormed a number of bases occupied by militias in the city.

The targeting of these bases by protesters followed a huge demonstration in downtown Benghazi demanding of dismissing the armed groups and the activation of the police force and army.

Among the armed groups’ headquarters that were controlled by the protestors is that of the Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, suspected of involvement in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.

The other armed groups whose bases were stormed by civilian protesters is the Rafallah Al Sahati and the 17 February Brigade of Benghazi.

In a speech via radio, the President of the National Congress Mohamed Magarief called on the protesters and the armed groups not to resort to violence.

He called on portesters to differentiate between the unofficial militias and the real revolutionary brigades which helped secure the city and authorized to do so by the government.

The Libyan public have been demanding the dismissal of the large number of armed groups which emerged since the collapse of the Gaddafi regime last year.

These armed groups have become a threat to security and stability in the country.