[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftcTsjMYObc]YouTube - Large loss of life in Libyan city[/ame]

 

Libya unrest: Scores killed in Benghazi 'massacre'

 

Details have emerged of huge casualty figures in the Libyan city of Benghazi, where troops have launched a brutal crackdown on protesters. More than 200 are known to have died, doctors say, and reports speak of another 900 injured.

 

The most bloody attacks were reported over the weekend, when a funeral procession is said to have come under machine-gun and heavy weapons fire. One doctor told the BBC that what had happened was a "massacre".

 

Human Rights Watch says at least 173 people have been killed in Libya since demonstrations began on Wednesday. Benghazi, the country's second city, has been a leading focus of protests against Col Muammar Gaddafi's rule. Libya is one of several countries in the region to have seen pro-democracy campaigns since the fall of long-time Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January. Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was forced from power on 11 February.

 

BBC Middle East correspondent Jon Leyne says the current unrest in Libya is the most serious challenge to Col Gaddafi in his four decades in power.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12517327

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIii58v93v4]YouTube - More killed in Libya crackdown[/ame]

On Danish TV2 News it was reported that Ghaddafi has flown foreign troops into Libya and in particular the capital Tripoli as many of his soldiers are likely to join the protesters.

Troops from where!?

Foreign troops would have a easier time shooting the people there than local troops.

Aw, this is awful. :sad:

 

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Libya.

 

Were the protests peaceful or where they getting violent?

Troops from where!?

Foreign troops would have a easier time shooting the people there than local troops.

 

 

It was said that African soldiers (mercenaries) had been recruited to fight the anti-Ghaddafi protesters.

 

From Danish text-TV: Units from Libyan army in Benghasi have deserted.

 

According to the BBC there were at least 4 anti-Ghaddafi demos in Tripoli Sunday evening.

 

Reports of clashes tonight between security forces and protesters. The security forces are shooting at the demonstrators and they are also using teargas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12520366

 

20 February 2011 Last updated at 23:02 GMT

 

Libya: Anti-Gaddafi protests spread to Tripoli

 

Anti-government rallies have broken out in the Libyan capital Tripoli for the first time during days of protests against the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

 

The sound of gunfire can be heard across the city.

 

Witnesses say tear gas and live ammunition has been used by the security forces.

 

There are unconfirmed reports of clashes between pro- and anti-Gaddafi protesters in central Green Square.

 

Reports from the eastern city of Benghazi say more than 200 people have died there after the Libyan military used heavy weapons against protesters.

 

The brutal suppression of protests in Benghazi has been condemned by the US, UK and other Western nations.

 

Multiple flashpoints

 

In Tripoli, protests were reported in four districts of the city late on Sunday.

 

Gunfire rang out through central areas of Tripoli, accompanied by car horns blaring and people chanting slogans calling for the toppling of the regime.

 

Credible reports suggested that a police station had been burnt down and a building belonging to the country's ruling party had also been attacked and set ablaze.

 

In the Gourghi area of the city, witnesses said tear gas and live ammunition were used against anti-government protesters. Tear gas was said to have filled the entire neighbourhood, with those sitting outside their homes forced to to go inside.

 

The area around Tripoli's largest university was said to be dominated by anti-government protesters calling for the fall of the regime.

 

Correspondents say the spreading of unrest to Tripoli is a significant blow to Col Gaddafi's attempt to contain the protests in eastern Libya.

 

Protesters have been demanding an end to Col Gaddafi's four decades in power, after the success of similar rallies in Egypt and Tunisia.

 

Rare admission

 

By Sunday evening, reports suggested that anti-government forces in Benghazi had largely won control of the city after two days of brutal suppression by government forces.

 

Unconfirmed reports said a military garrison there had either fallen to the opposition, or switched sides.

 

Earlier, in a rare public admission of the unrest in Benghazi, Libyan state TV said on Sunday that an "armed people's base" in the city had come under attack and had its walls breached.

 

The US state department said it was "gravely concerned with disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya".

 

France said it was "extremely worried" by events in Libya, criticising Tripoli for a "totally disproportionate" use of force.

 

But Libya has also tried to use its leverage with the European Union, warning Brussels it could suspend co-operation against illegal migration if the EU encourages pro-democracy protests.

 

During a phone conversation with Colonel Gaddafi's son, Sayf al-Islam, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke of London's "grave concern" at the escalation of violence.

 

Verifying information from Libya has been difficult amid a government clampdown on the internet and media communications. Libyan authorities have imposed severe media restrictions.

 

Foreign media are largely absent from the country and internet traffic from Libya has been throttled in recent days, web analysts report.

 

Libyan activists opposed to Col Gaddafi, as well as Libyans operating from outside the country, are using social networks Twitter and Facebook and video-sharing site YouTube to share information and images of the protests.

 

Libya is one of several countries in the region to have seen pro-democracy campaigns since the fall of long-time Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January. Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was forced from power on 11 February.

 

Mid-East unrest: Libya

 

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has led since 1969

Population 6.5m; land area 1.77m sq km

Population with median age of 24.2, and a literacy rate of 88%

Gross national income per head: $12,020 (World Bank 2009)

 

 

Death toll: 230 (CNN live)

My father works in Tripoli. :sick::bigcry: my mum said last saturday that they were still okay... but it was because the protests then were just in benghazi... but after reading that^... :bigcry::bigcry:

My father works in Tripoli. :sick::bigcry: my mum said last saturday that they were still okay... but it was because the protests then were just in benghazi... but after reading that^... :bigcry::bigcry:

 

 

:hug: I cross my fingers that your parents are okay :hug:

 

 

CNN live: Benghazi - Libya's second-largest city - "has been freed of the tyrant", a protester told CNN (over the phone as CNN reporters have applied for permission to travel to Libya, so far with no reply).

 

CNN reporter: "The eastern Libya can be isolated, but if Tripoli falls into the hands of the protesters, then Colonel Ghaddafi is in real trouble".

 

Ghaddafi's son was on television with a 40-minute-long address to the Libyan nation. He said that the Libyan army would be loyal to his father Col Ghaddafi. He talked of the prospect of civil war.

 

Witnesses inside Libya (as CNN has not yet been granted access to Libya) say that Benghazi has fallen into the hands of the protesters. At least 25 have been killed there today. According to witness (otherwise unconfirmed).

 

Witness: Loud gunfire, really loud - people screaming.

:hug: I cross my fingers that your parents are okay :hug:

 

 

Thanks, Nancy. :hug: I talked to my mum, and she said, that my dad's still okay. Although she can only talk to him now through landline phone because internet and cellphone services have been cut-off. :|

 

Then, just now, we realised that even my sister's classmates and a neighbor are working there, too. :sick:

 

All we can do now is hope and pray that everything will be alright soon, and everyone can get home safely whenever that will be.

Thats awful , I really do hope your family is safe :nice:

I think Gaddafi's finished. He may survive this in the short term but in the long term it's game over for him. Thank goodness.

^^^ I hope your family is safe

 

 

Ugh, this seriously breaks my heart

What is wrong with the world, seriously

*literal cries*

Solidarity with our fellow revolutionaries. Gaddafi's regime is crumbling around him and he's running out of options.

 

Glad to hear your father is OK, inengsol1500

Thanks, Nancy. :hug: I talked to my mum, and she said, that my dad's still okay. Although she can only talk to him now through landline phone because internet and cellphone services have been cut-off. :|

 

Then, just now, we realised that even my sister's classmates and a neighbor are working there, too. :sick:

 

All we can do now is hope and pray that everything will be alright soon, and everyone can get home safely whenever that will be.

 

I wish for the best for your family.

My father works in Tripoli. :sick::bigcry: my mum said last saturday that they were still okay... but it was because the protests then were just in benghazi... but after reading that^... :bigcry::bigcry:

 

hope everything is ok for them :hug:

 

It's such a shame to see this kind of things happening in the XXI century. Everybody loves to talk about how advanced we are in terms of technology and knowledge but this only shows how stupid the human race can be. That people can't even protest without being in a serious risk.

Cowards. That's what people like Gaddafi are. Complete cowards. Always has been and always will be. Despicable excuse for a human being.

exactly. Hope this will end soon and the people from Libya can get the freedom they need.

I just took the time to read about what's going on ;___;

I can't even. Like...ugh.

 

Go Libya! :awesome:

It bothers me how everyone just cares about the resulting price of oil. :|

News media on 21.2.11: More than 60 killed within the last 24 hours in TRIPOLI - Libya's capital - according to hospital sources to broadcaster al-Jazeera.

 

Human Rights Watch: More than 233 died since Thursday and more than 900 injured.

 

 

Reports that shots are fired at protesters from army helicopters in Tripoli. :angry: Sounds terrible. :sad:

It bothers me how everyone just cares about the resulting price of oil. :|

 

 

You're right, TAMMI. Media are very concerned about the resulting price of oil - and in the case of Egypt it was about the country's daily loss of income from tourists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12533069

 

22 February 2011 Last updated at 00:31 GMT

 

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appears on state TV

 

Libya's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has dismissed reports that he has fled the country, calling them "malicious rumours" spread by "hating channels".

 

Speaking to state TV from outside a ruined building, he asserted: "I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela."

 

UK Foreign Minister William Hague had said he had seen information suggesting Col Gaddafi was on his way to Caracas.

 

Earlier, the new General Committee for Defence said its forces would cleanse Libya of anti-government elements.

 

A statement described the protesters as "terrorist gangs made up mostly of misguided youths", who had been exploited and fed "hallucinogenic pills" by people following foreign agendas.

 

But Libya's diplomats at the United Nations in New York called for international intervention to stop the government's violent action against street demonstrations in their homeland.

 

Deputy Permanent Representative Ibrahim Dabbashi said Libyans had to be protected from what he called a "genocide".

 

Mr Dabbashi urged the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Tripoli, where there have been reports of warplanes attacking protesters.

 

Ali Aujali, Libya's most senior diplomat in the US, also criticised Col Gaddafi. He told the BBC he was "not supporting the government killing its people".

 

The US joined "international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya," said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

 

"Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed," she added.

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "outraged" at reports that the Libyan authorities had been firing at protesters from military aircraft, and warned that they would constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law, a spokesman said.

 

 

Danish TV2 news at 2am: LATEST: 2 MILITARY AIRPLANES LANDED ON MALTA. The planes were to be used against protesters, but instead of bombing protesters the planes flew to Malta.

this is making me cry :|