Posted on 07/06/2013 5:26:38 AM PDT by csvset
Frances honorary consul in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi survived a gun attack on his car unharmed, officials said on Friday, in the latest assault on foreigners in the cradle of the North African countrys 2011 revolt.
The attack happened late on Thursday when Jean Dufriche was returning home with his wife.
The consul was driving home when a car drove up and started shooting at their car, said Mohammed al-Hijazy, spokesman of the security operations room in Benghazi.
They were close to the Benghazi Medical Centre when the incident happened. They went there and stayed there until we sent a protection force. They have since left for Tunisia, he said.
At least ten bullets hit the vehicle, but no one was wounded."
A source close to Dufriche said there were at least seven bullet holes in his car. The source said the gunmen had fired several rounds and it was a miracle Dufriche had survived.
Re-establishing security
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius condemned the attack "with the greatest firmness".
"Libya is facing great challenges after 42 years of dictatorship and eight months of conflict. The re-establishment of security is the priority to allow the development of the country and the creation of a state of law," he said in a statement.
"France is fully mobilised to support the Libyan authorities."
French President François Hollande, who is currently visiting Tunisia, expressed his "admiration" for the consul for having escaped unharmed from the attack.
Awash with weapons
Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 uprising that toppled former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, has seen several attacks targeting the security forces and Western interests in recent months.
In April, a car bomb devastated Frances embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, wounding two French guards.
Last September, the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed during an attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi.
US officials say militants with ties to al Qaeda affiliates were most likely involved in the mission attack.
Benghazi, like much of Libya, is awash with weapons. The city has also seen attacks on Italian, British, Red Cross and United Nations interests since the end of the 2011 uprising that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Barry's boys.
“a car drove up and started shooting at their car”
Just two cars having a shootout. Not the bearded savages in one of the cars. Naaah. For the reporter to say that would be racism. Better to have the car with the bearded savage shoot at the car with the human.
When cars attack! Next on Fox!
At least the French are taking care of their diplomats.
Why did Obama want the honorary French consul dead?
Creepy Ass Cracker, infidel, etc.
“What does it matter now?” “Stand down!”
Imagine the poor bastard who *isn’t* honorary.
Thanks csvset.
You need to get the French translation of that. It’s anecdotal, but I hear it’s pronounced “Klin - Ton”.
Very lucky man.
I wish our four men had been as fortunate.
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