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 ...
Color me a skeptic. Where were they on the night of?
Can’t help but believe this is more about keeping American aid than support for America. Also, suspicious that the press is playing up a SMALL group uprising to pad Obama’s credentials - can’t be letting voters know that the Muslims feel more contempt for America now than they did when he took office now can we?
As looters later tried to leave the scene, vigilantes wielding clubs and machetes tried to prevent them driving off with heavy weapons.
Officials at three hospitals told a Reuters correspondent they had a total of five dead and more than 60 wounded from the night's violence.
Police found six more dead bodies near the compound on Saturday morning, police officer Ahmed Ali Agouri said.
"We came as peaceful protesters. When we got there they started shooting at us," student Sanad al-Barani said. "Five people were wounded beside me. They used 14.5 mm machineguns."
A crowd of thousands of protestors surrounds a militia compound. The militia opens up on them with .50 cal machine guns, and only kills 5 of them.
Seriously?
puff story coverup to get dollars
The Libyan youth movement just returned from a state department sponsored exchange on “media literacy”. Sounds like more of the same thing we saw in Cairo with American left wing groups and the state department egging them on.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2934687/posts?page=7#7
Like most religious militants, they consider their “holy” calling justification to do what ever they want.
This has always been the Achilles heel of these Islamist groups. Their rabid religious militant-ism eventually alienates the locals given enough time. It is what ultimately broke their back in Iraq. The locals finally turned on them.
Who knew that some third world citizens can do what our gutless CIC and all his generals and all the forces at his command cannot - or will not - do.
Astroturf by the Obama administration. You can bet they promised millions of dollars to certain people if they put on a good show of “outrage”.
The militia simply surrendered their compound when they learned the mob was coming.
They could have held their ground and engaged in a massacre.
Instead, they packed up and bugged out with all their weapons.
They’ll be back, or find a new base of operations.
That is my take on this story too. Placate the Americans so the money won’t stop. Enough already with these countries.
Was Steven Spielberg there producing this on zero’s behalf?
Wonder how much money this cost us..
Reuters?... right....
And we’re supposed to believe this because....???
Since there was no organized protest, where did you expect them to be? They were at home.
Whether we want to believe it or not, many Libyans have come into contact with our citizens. They have developed relationships. They don’t buy the slop the radical extremists are selling.
Do they agree with us in all things? No. We shouldn’t expect them to.
I think they are going to keep their line of supply on Uncle Sugarteat open, and that is about it.
Rest assured zero paid the muzzy scum to scoot out of town until he has more flexibility.
So, the they are able to push the militants back???
So, keep doing it???
And you may be right. Is there any chance you aren’t?
Yes.
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