Battle between Tripoli, Misrata militias kills 4

Reuters Africa ^ | Tuesday, January 3, 2012 | Mahmoud Habboush

[SunkenCiv]

Four fighters were killed in a gun battle between Libyan militias in one of Tripoli's busiest streets on Tuesday, a fresh sign that its new government is struggling to control the increasingly fractious groups that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi. Former rebels from Tripoli controlling a security compound in the capital fought off dozens of fighters from Misrata who were trying to seize a group of prisoners in a gun battle that lasted for more than an hour, medics and former rebels said. Real power still resides with the militias, more than two months after they captured and killed Gaddafi. Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

After the fighting, armed men combed central Tripoli looking for Misratan fighters. A Reuters witness saw them capture one man, swarm around and kick and punch him as he was marched into the compound.

A pickup truck daubed with the words 'The Defence Brigade, Misrata Revolutionaries' lay across the highway, riddled with bullets and with blood stains on the back seat. One fighter said 11 militiamen from Misrata had been captured.

"Some of them screamed 'We're from Misrata, you dogs!' while they were firing," said another Tripoli fighter. "They wanted to take them (the prisoners) by force, they used 106mm (rocket) launchers and 14mm machine guns."

Turf Warfare

The battle on Tripoli's Zawiya road was the first between militias since December 11, when soldiers from Libya's new national army fought militiamen for control of the capital's international airport.

Rival militias with regional allegiances control several compounds abandoned by Gaddafi loyalists as they were overrun in August. Rebels from Misrata in particular hold a vast arsenal of tanks, rockets and guns.

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

Libya names head of armed forces as militias clash
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/04/us-libya-idUSTRE80301120120104

Former Gaddafi colonel becomes Libyan army’s new chief of staff
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8990981/Former-Gaddafi-colonel-becomes-Libyan-armys-new-chief-of-staff.html

[bigheadfred]

This Day In History: Tripoli

1/03/612 BC—Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

1/03/00 +/- 1 BC BCE CE AD ADD and of course AD HiDef—Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

1/03/712 AD—Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

1/03/1412 AD—Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

1/03/2012 AD—Since then, they have carved up the capital and country into competing fiefdoms, each holding out for the share of power they say they are owed.

[SunkenCiv]

:’D

10 pct of Libyan seats reserved for women: draft law
By Imed Lamloum (AFP) – 1 day ago
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iswiPn7znupE0zmxDVaTK5g_O4OA?docId=CNG.db7c9b5c0e39e81289addf91510aff0e.a71

[org.whodat]

When will they figure out the ones that control the oil wins. LOL

[bigheadfred]

Muslim North African country which is still dominated by tribal traditions that are likely to prevent women winning (ev'ry day I'm shufflin')

Summarily summates my summation. Nice.

[hinckley buzzard]

Good news. The more these jackwagons fight with each other the less trouble they can spread abroad.

[SunkenCiv]

Saudi, Libya agree to exchange ambassadors and restore full ties after Gadhafi's ouster

[SunkenCiv]

:’)