Pro-government demonstrators storm militia compound in eastern Libya

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-9-22 9:30:15

Pro-government protesters, in their hundreds, on Friday evening stormed a militia group's headquarters in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.

Protesters said that the compound belongs to the (Salafist jihad) Ansar Sharia battalion, which they consider as "rebels." Some set ablaze part of the buildings while many chanted slogans against the militia group.

Many members of the battalion were forced out of the compound and some were seen firing into the sky.

Earlier in the day, thousands of local residents in Benghazi staged a rally after the midday Friday prayers at the Martyr's Square in a bid to fend off the charges of terrorism in last week's US consulate attack in the city, in which the US ambassador was killed.

Ansar Sharia was accused of being engaged in the consulate assault with plans in advance.

There has been a confrontation between the demonstrators and supports of the Ansar Sharia battalion during the rally, which was deemed as a cause for clashes at the militia's headquarters, which locates adjacent to the Martyr's Square, in the evening.

No report of casualties has come out by now.

Posted in: Africa

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