Posted on 09/22/2012 9:38:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
BENGHAZI, Libya, Sept 22 (Reuters) - An Islamist militia was driven out of the city of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of anger against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
A spokesman for Ansar al-Sharia, which some U.S. and Libya officials blame for the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi last week in which the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed, said it had evacuated its bases "to preserve security in the city".
In a dramatic sign of Libya's fragility, after sweeping through Ansar's bases the crowd went on to attack a pro-government militia, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.
The invasion of Ansar al-Sharia's compounds, which met little resistance, appeared to be part of a sweep of militia bases by police, troops and activists following a large demonstration against militia units in Benghazi on Friday.
Demonstrators pulled down militia flags and set a vehicle on fire inside what was once the base of Gaddafi's security forces.
Hundreds of men waving swords and even a meat cleaver chanted "Libya, Libya", "No more al Qaeda!" and "The blood we shed for freedom shall not go in vain!"
"After what happened at the American consulate, the people of Benghazi had enough of the extremists," demonstrator Hassan Ahmed said.
"They did not give allegiance to the army. So the people broke in and they fled.
"This place is like the Bastille. This is where Gaddafi controlled Libya from, and then Ansar al-Sharia took it over. This is a turning point for the people of Benghazi."
(Excerpt) Read more at in.reuters.com ...
Look, we helped them take out Khaddafy. Some of the Libyans are going to appreciate that.
Yes, that murder will continue to haunt us.
Wanna bet this is a CIA operation ordered by Obama, with a lot of gold being passed around? Obama cannot afford to have this disaster stay out there when the debates roll around. This paid “pro-American” riot will enable him to tell Romney: “The Libyan people have risen up to reject the terrorists because of my leadership and support”.
The exception which prooves the rule. If it happened here, why not in OTHER Islamist countries?
Possibly the fact that there is a Berber population in Libya and Berbers are not Arabs.
It will? In a country like Libya, that’s known as justice.
The guy had been living on borrowed time since we found out he backed the Lockerby massacre.
If I’ve misunderstood you, I appologize, but if you’re referring to Khaddafy (how ever you spell it), then I don’t give his death a second thought.
There is a case to be made that he was not causing trouble anymore, and that his replacement could bring years of turmoil. I’ve made it.
I’m sure not going to lament the way he came to an end though. It was long overdue.
I appreciate the response.
If you have a belt of about 50-100 rounds of 50 caliber in the box, and no more handy, and nowhere to retreat, and you look out at a crowd of 10,000 coming at you waving swords, etc....
You do the math, and realize that after your belt is expended, you will be torn to pieces, literally, ripped to shreds.
And no 72 virgins for killing other Muslims.
In 2005 Qaddafi invited Western oil companies back into Libya and they responded. These include ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Hess, Occidental, Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron and others. Since then Libya has been going through a slow transformation from socialism to a free market economy. European and U.S. businessmen have helped in creating a real estate and development industry based around miles of Mediterranean beaches and mild climate.
This has boosted the Libyan entrepreneur class. It was reported at the beginning of the insurrection that it was being financed in part by Libyan businessmen engaged in the illegal transportation of African migrants to Europe. When Qaddafi tilted to the West he agreed to crack down on this trade to placate the UN and EU.
I think the revolt was also spurred on by British Petroleum who was secretly negotiating with an ad hoc group of Libyan dissident groups to get cheaper oil if Qaddafi was overthrown.
So I think there is a large group of Libyans who want a capitalistic, secular society as opposed to a theocracy. They just elected a moderate government. And one way for the rabid dogs to attack the new government happened of Sept. 11.
That would explain choosing not to fire, but that doesn’t fit what they say happened.
The whole thing stinks if you ask me especially in light of the fact that the state department just hosted some Libyans for 3 weeks of “media literacy” training.
If they’re all about peace and harmony they can do it without us and come see us after a decade or so.
It’s about time for obama to say:
Under my plan, the Islamist militia first kills the American ambassador, burns the building, and that red and white flag with those star thingies on it. Then there is a ground roots attack by the people on the heavily armed militia and they push them out.
This is how I planned to get the Islamists out of power and it worked perfectly. Now that I have brought peace to Libya, and restored the image of America in all the countries of the world, the American public can see my genius in foreign affairs is much better than anything that rich job killer Romney could ever hope to do.
Now I can back to my plan of continuing to advance the unbelievable recovery of the American economy by building more roads and bridges after I donate hundreds of billions to the unions for several more years.
I need to cut this short since to get out and play some more golf. Michelle and the kids keep pestering me about what school the kids are going to go to next year in Hawaii. It’s just a little joke they keep pulling on me.
It’s suspiciously consistent with the narrative coming from the WH about the attacks being the work of a handful of dissidents, and too long after the fact to be a spontaneous reaction.
Yeah, this is Libbywood.
"This place is like the Bastille. This is where Gaddafi controlled Libya from, and then Ansar al-Sharia took it over. This is a turning point for the people of Benghazi."
Red flags went up for me as soon as I saw Libya youth and Benghazi youth start popping up all over twitter last night. Its the same leftist community organized crap that led the charge in Egypt and Syria.
I suspect we’ll see it develop into islamic marxism. The Baath party reborn.
Indeed, activists and pro-government forces would be called a pogrom in other times. Since when non-profit activists picked up weapons with a government?
Sounds like an OWS ops to me from the Soros “Open Society” system.
The militia opens up on them with .50 cal machine guns,
.57 cal MGs actually.
I generally assume that we have heard about 25% of a given story coming out of the ME, and that most of it is wrong.
LLS
Our mercenaries payday.
Sounds like a Saturday night in Chicago.
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