Libya: Protesters, security clash in capital

[defendandprotect]

By MAGGIE MICHAEL and HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Maggie Michael And Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press – 1 hr 36 mins ago
CAIRO – Libyan protesters celebrated in the streets of Benghazi on Monday, claiming control of the country's second largest city after bloody fighting, and anti-government unrest spread to the capital with clashes in Tripoli's main square for the first time. Moammar Gadhafi's son vowed that his father and security forces would fight "until the last bullet."

Protesters demanding Gadhafi's ouster planed new marches in the capital's main Green Square and at the leader's residence for Monday evening. That was likely to bring a new round of violence after a similar march the night before prompted clashes that lasted till dawn, with witnesses reporting snipers opening fire on protesters and Gadhafi supporters racing through crowds in trucks and cars, firing automatic weapons and running people over.

During the day Monday, a fire was raging at the People's Hall, the main hall for government gatherings where the country's equivalent of a parliament holds its sessions several times a year, the pro-government news web site Qureyna said. It also reported the first major sign of discontent in Gadhafi's government, saying justice minister Mustafa Abdel-Jalil resigned from his post to protest the "excessive use of force against unarmed protesters."

The capital was largely shut down, with schools, government offices and most stores closed, as armed members of pro-government organizations called "Revolutionary Committees" circulated in the streets hunting for protesters in Tripoli's old city, said one protester, named Fathi.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110221/ap_on_re_af/af_libya_protests

[robdogbucky]

1. "first major sign of discontent in Gadhafi's government"

I'll say.

Here are some current updates that I am listening to on AJE livestream:

Lybia appears to be devolving into the Ghaddafi family vs the People of Lybia as there are strikes in the oil fields, tribal chieftains loyal to Ghaddafi for the last 40 years are defecting to the peoples' cause.

Two military jets from Benghazi landed in Malta. It was some military officials seeking asylum.

Most recent report has the presidential compound under seige, with crowds battling heavily-armed Ghaddafi mercernaries (most of the army is non-respsonsive, not to be seen, and said to be crumbling, like in Benghazi)

Rumors that Ghaddafi and family members had fled to Venezuela have been strongly denied by Venezuela's foreign minister.

Iran's leader spoke to the issue the the upheavals in the Islamic countries and has blamed them on the US influence in the region.

Oil has made this regional upheaval a global concern now. Ironically, this will force Americans and others around the world to react and be aware of what is transpiring, not just ignore it...

Live firing on protestors continuing by hired mercenaries circling the Green Square in Tripoli in pickup trucks just firing indiscriminately....

UN checks in, secretary general claims to have talked to Ghaddafi and warned of the need to protect citizen/protestors...

Can anyone settle on how to spell Ghaddafi/Kaddafi/Qaddafi's name? Why does it change so often in the media?

You say Ghaddafi, I say Kaddafi.........


More later



The Revolution will not be televised but it will be on Twitter.

[robdogbucky]

2. Events moving fast

Phones have been cutoff in areas of Lybia

Protestors have taken over several military bases and weapons in some places around the country.

Military planes being used to fire on Tripoli protestors