Ex-Libya rebel HQ attacked in Benghazi, 7 dead: hospital

[Bosonic]

Source: AFP

BENGHAZI, Libya — At least seven people died and 30 were wounded on Saturday when demonstrators attacked the headquarters in Benghazi of former rebels who had fought to oust Libyan dictator Moamer Kahdafi, a hospital official said.

"At least seven people are dead," said a doctor at Al-Jala hospital in the eastern city, which was the cradle of the anti-Kadhafi uprising in 2011.

"We also have received some 30 wounded," he added, saying the toll could could rise.

Fighting erupted after dozens of demonstrators, some of them armed, tried to dislodge the powerful "Shield of Libya" brigade from its barracks in Benghazi, said an AFP correspondent at the scene.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iIaD8kiPTXMfu7iLb_a3zITivNVw?docId=CNG.8aba2aff201bd385604c755cc27b117d.751

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. "Libya's post-Kadhafi authorities, who have still not managed to form a professional new army..."

"...and police corps, often call on the "Shield of Libya" to intervene in the various tribal conflicts that trouble the country."

Shit, how long has it been since they killed Gaddafi? And they still don't have an effective government?

Now, let's imagine post-intervention Syria, shall we?

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. You're singing my song.

What a mess we seem to be heading into.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Forming a strong central government was never part of the plan.

A strong government would be detrimental to western powers taking over the countries resources.

It is much more effective to have factions continually battling it out while the country is looted.

[David__77]

9. Absolutely.

Whether in Latin America, Asia, or Africa, the game is to destroy states and dismantle armies, and replace them with a narrow clique of technocrats directing resources. The Western definition of "human rights" does not include freedom from this new colonialism.

[John2]

11. I'll go even

further, and say it has nothing to do with the majority of ordinary Americans, or the ordinary citizens of any Western country. It has more to do with the dictates of the rich and powerful of Western Nations. It is similar to the age of mercantilism. It is just another example of why I claim, these Wars only benefit the Top percent of these countries, including creating a small elite class in these countries they gain control and influence over. It never benefits the poor of these countries or create Human rights. They are just replacing another ruling class.

[kelliekat44]

18. Replacing with an even worse ruling class. nt

[Ash_F]

10. But the oil fields are producing! /nt

[SkyDaddy7]

13. How long did it take the USA to form a government after...

the rebellion ended? And the US is the ONLY country to have had basically a "seamless transition" (compared to all other rebellions around the world) despite the fact we had to put down armed rebellions within are own country in the early days! Those who think the transition from dictator to democracy is suppose to happen instantly need to take a long look at history. It is a process!

I am "Liberal" who still thinks every human being should have the right to determine who their leaders are! And I am not giving up on any of the people in the countries that have finally shed dictators. NONE OF THEM have yet to form fully functioning governments REGARDLESS of whether the US was involved or not!

It disturbs me that "Liberals" in the USA would have anything but encouragement for these countries...Even the countries we have helped! But instead there almost seems to be a contempt for Libya which is basically no worse off than the other Arab Spring countries.

THINK!!

[Jesus Malverde]

17. As long as the "Humanitarian Crisis" has passed.

There is nothing to see there.

Their sovereign wealth funds and oil fields have been liberated. Mission accomplished.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. "Eleven Reported Dead in Anti-Militia Clashes in Libyan Benghazi

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/08/us-libya-clashes-idUSBRE9570CY20130608

(Reuters) - At least 11 people were killed and 35 wounded in clashes on Saturday between protesters and a Libyan militia operating with Defence Ministry approval in the eastern city of Benghazi, a doctor in the city said. Residents said dozens of protesters had demonstrated outside the headquarters of the Libya Shield brigade demanding the disbanding of militias who have yet to lay down their weapons nearly two years after the overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

<snip>

Resentment against the militias, some of which have been co-opted or licensed by a central government whose own forces are too weak to maintain security, has been growing in recent months, especially after militiamen laid siege to ministries in Tripoli last month to force their will on the National Assembly.

The Libya Shield brigade is made up of former rebel fighters who say they are aligned with the Defence Ministry. A spokesman for the interior and defence ministry's security operations room said special forces from the Libyan military had arrived at the scene.

"A group of protesters started protesting against the presence of militias. They were calling for the disbanding of groups to rebuild the army," said a Benghazi resident who declined to be named. "As I was leaving, I saw protesters throwing stones and the other side fired back."

<snip>

Last September, shortly after an attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi in which the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed, the city saw a huge outpouring of public anger at the militias. The government has taken a two-track approach - shutting down militias that operated without official government permission, but also offering public backing to many of the most powerful armed groups, which have official licences to operate.

[leveymg]

4. What a lovely racket - selling gov't licenses to armed militias.

How entrepreneurial, a public-private partnership. Is that the new development model?

[rastaone]

5. How long before we start

running drone patrols over Libya to kill terrorists? This is what happens when you assist extremists to overthrow an imperfect secular arab country.

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. You know what's weird? That we haven't droned anybody there.

We apparently suffered an armed attack on a diplomatic outpost there last year that left the ambassador and three others dead. And nothing ever happened.

Not that I'm a fan of drone attacks, but we're knocking off bearded guys sitting in huts in Waziristan and riding around the desert in Yemen and sitting under the palm trees in Somalia, and we've never gone after the people who attacked in Benghazi. That's weird. Can anyone explain what's going on?

[rastaone]

8. I also wonder about that also

Another weird thing is that the Al Qaeda magazine inspire is allowed to promote terrorism among lone wolf Jihadists in America and we are not doing anything to stop it. How about we send a drone to kill the so called American Al qaeda who publishes this damn magazine? Heck, Bill Maher was able to locate him for his documentary and somehow we are to believe the CIA cannot find him.

This is a magazine that inspired the Boston bombers, underwear bombers etc and right now it is advertising the gun control weaknesses of the US to potential terrorists. For the sake of gun, shut him down

This was on terror needs to be re examined.

[John2]

12. Would you suggest we

do the same to FOX, white supremacist's groups, and Christian religious extremist groups in this country? There is also the matter of that gun group. Why don't we just censor and arrest them all for going against the Government and causing dissent?

[dipsydoodle]

14. Now 25 dead

At least 25 people have died in Benghazi in eastern Libya, in clashes that erupted during protests outside a militia headquarters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22830206

[Comrade Grumpy]

15. 27 dead, according to CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57588388/dozens-killed-in-benghazi-libya/

[PurityOfEssence]

16. The greatest story never told

It's like our little resource war never happened.

We engaged in naked thievery of the most cynical kind, hiding behind "noble" sentiments to do so. Lest we forget, too: this was a thoroughly illegal venture, in direct violation of the UN Participation Act of 1946, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and the NATO treaty.

As if that's not enough, we've helped the islamists spread their influence farther into the area and disrupted societies hither and yon.

Oil. Yum.