News / Africa
Libya former rebels' HQ attacked, 11 dead, 58 wounded
08 Jun 2013 at 18:11hrs | Views
A Libyan protester holds a gun during clashes in Benghazi, June 8, 2013 (AFP, Abdullah Doma)
Benghazi - At least 11 people died and 58 were wounded on Saturday when demonstrators attacked the headquarters in Benghazi of former rebels who had fought to oust Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, a hospital official said.
An initial toll from the Al-Jala hospital in the eastern city said seven people died and 30 were wounded.
An army spokesperson in Benghazi, cited by official news agency Lana, confirmed 11 people died but said that only 38 were wounded.
Fighting erupted after dozens of demonstrators, some of them armed, tried to dislodge the powerful "Shield of Libya" brigade from its barracks in Benghazi, said an AFP correspondent at the scene.
They encircled the headquarters and called on regular security forces to step in.
Libya's post-Gaddafi authorities, who have still not managed to form a professional new army and police corps, often call on the "Shield of Libya" to intervene in the various tribal conflicts that trouble the country.
Adel Tarhuni, spokesperson for the "Shield of Libya", said one member of the brigade had died and another seven were wounded.
Tarhuni also defended the "legitimacy" of the brigade, saying it officially came under the umbrella of the defence ministry.
He reported that there was a peaceful demonstration in front of the brigade's headquarters, before "armed men" infiltrated it.
The gunmen then opened fire on the "Shield of Libya" building and threw hand-made explosives, Tarhuni told television station Libya Al-Ahrar.
Armed forces spokesperson Colonel Ali al-Shikhi told Lana the brigade was "a reserve force of the Libyan army", and that an attack on them was equivalent to an "attack on the legitimate authorities".
Shikhi said the incident was "very serious", and called on restraint from all parties.
In October, people in Benghazi managed to force other militias from their bases.
An initial toll from the Al-Jala hospital in the eastern city said seven people died and 30 were wounded.
An army spokesperson in Benghazi, cited by official news agency Lana, confirmed 11 people died but said that only 38 were wounded.
Fighting erupted after dozens of demonstrators, some of them armed, tried to dislodge the powerful "Shield of Libya" brigade from its barracks in Benghazi, said an AFP correspondent at the scene.
They encircled the headquarters and called on regular security forces to step in.
Libya's post-Gaddafi authorities, who have still not managed to form a professional new army and police corps, often call on the "Shield of Libya" to intervene in the various tribal conflicts that trouble the country.
Adel Tarhuni, spokesperson for the "Shield of Libya", said one member of the brigade had died and another seven were wounded.
Tarhuni also defended the "legitimacy" of the brigade, saying it officially came under the umbrella of the defence ministry.
He reported that there was a peaceful demonstration in front of the brigade's headquarters, before "armed men" infiltrated it.
The gunmen then opened fire on the "Shield of Libya" building and threw hand-made explosives, Tarhuni told television station Libya Al-Ahrar.
Armed forces spokesperson Colonel Ali al-Shikhi told Lana the brigade was "a reserve force of the Libyan army", and that an attack on them was equivalent to an "attack on the legitimate authorities".
Shikhi said the incident was "very serious", and called on restraint from all parties.
In October, people in Benghazi managed to force other militias from their bases.
Source - AFP
