UPDATE 1-Tripoli protesters block jet from taking off

[tabatha]

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian

TRIPOLI Nov 26 (Reuters) - About 100 Libyans surrounded a Tunisian passenger aircraft at one of the capital's airports on Saturday, delaying its takeoff in a protest at the government.

Witnesses told Reuters that about a dozen cars drove out on to the tarmac at Tripoli's Mitiga airport and blocked a Tunisair Airbus 300-20 jet, with passengers on board, from moving.

The incident was the latest sign of lawlessness in Libya, where the interim authority in power since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted, the National Transitional Council (NTC), is struggling to control disparate local interests, many of them backed by armed militias.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7MQ0FJ20111126

So, Libyans are now free to protest, but it is called lawlessness.

[PDJane]

1. That's what it's called everywhere.........n/t

[inna]

2. interesting

[inna]

3. or maybe not. have been too busy to follow lately.

[EFerrari]

4. LOL. Looking for your enemies on a plane is not peaceful protest.

[ellisonz]

5. Their stated reason:

The protesters were from the Souq al-Juma district of Tripoli, a stronghold of anti-Gaddafi sentiment during the uprising against his rule.

They said they wanted the Libyan government to open an investigation into a clash last week in which several members of the Souq al-Juma militia were killed.

The clash happened in Bani Walid, a town southeast of Tripoli which was a pro-Gaddafi bastion and one of the last places to submit to the new Libyan leadership.

"People are protesting over the slow action that the NTC is taking over this. They are putting pressure on the NTC to take action, and make their message known," said Abdulrazzaq El-Aradi, NTC member for Souq al-Juma.

[joshcryer]

6. Sounds like elites trying to get out of dodge.

When a fascist state crumbles the elites tend to try to get out as fast as possible.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Or anyone smart enough to get out of Dodge before the militias start fighting

each other. I'm sure they read all the same horror stories we did that came out of Iraq.

[2banon]

8. sounds like they mean to hold people accountable, and they don't intend to let them make

their getaway..

[ellisonz]

9. +2

[EFerrari]

10. "sounds like" rampant vigilante justice, which is to say, none. nt