Benghazi protesters storm government HQ
- 12 years ago
ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION
Protesters stormed the Benghazi headquarters of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) on Saturday (January 21) while its chairman was still in the building.
People in Benghazi, birthplace of the revolt which forced out former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, have been protesting for weeks to demand the sacking of Gaddafi-era officials and more transparency about how the NTC is spending Libyan assets.
Hundreds of young men, many wounded from the war, rallied outside the NTC's headquarters.
When NTC chairman, Abdul Jalil came out in an attempt to address the crowd, some protesters hurled empty plastic bottles at him, prompting security forces to fire tear gas.
Protesters threw stones and metal bars at the building, breaking its windows, before storming the headquarters. One protester left the building carrying a set of loudspeakers and screaming: "Spoils of war!"
Angry protesters also damaged a Toyota Land Cruiser used by Jalil.
The attack is a serious blow to the self-appointed but internationally recognised NTC, and underscores growing discontent over the way it is running the country.
Many of those who fought in the nine-month civil war that ended with the capture and killing of Gaddafi in October are unhappy with cash compensations promised by the government, saying it does not cover their basic needs.
Protesters stormed the Benghazi headquarters of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) on Saturday (January 21) while its chairman was still in the building.
People in Benghazi, birthplace of the revolt which forced out former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, have been protesting for weeks to demand the sacking of Gaddafi-era officials and more transparency about how the NTC is spending Libyan assets.
Hundreds of young men, many wounded from the war, rallied outside the NTC's headquarters.
When NTC chairman, Abdul Jalil came out in an attempt to address the crowd, some protesters hurled empty plastic bottles at him, prompting security forces to fire tear gas.
Protesters threw stones and metal bars at the building, breaking its windows, before storming the headquarters. One protester left the building carrying a set of loudspeakers and screaming: "Spoils of war!"
Angry protesters also damaged a Toyota Land Cruiser used by Jalil.
The attack is a serious blow to the self-appointed but internationally recognised NTC, and underscores growing discontent over the way it is running the country.
Many of those who fought in the nine-month civil war that ended with the capture and killing of Gaddafi in October are unhappy with cash compensations promised by the government, saying it does not cover their basic needs.