Protesters Besiege Militias in Benghazi, Forcing Flight
By SULIMAN ALI ZWAY and KAREEM FAHIM
Thousands of Libyans seized control of the headquarters of several
militias, demanding that they be disarmed after the killing of an
American ambassador last week.
Angry Libyans Target Militias, Forcing Flight
Asmaa Waguih/Reuters
Demonstrators after burning a
car they said was full of ammunition as they stormed the headquarters of
Ansar al-Sharia, the militia suspected in last week’s attack, in
Benghazi, Libya.
By SULIMAN ALI ZWAY and KAREEM FAHIM
Published: September 21, 2012
BENGHAZI, Libya — Galvanized by anger over the killing of the popular
American ambassador here last week, thousands of Libyans marched through
this city on Friday, demanding the disarming of the militias that
helped topple the dictatorship but have troubled the country with their
refusal to disband.
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After Attack in Libya, an Ambush Struck Rescuers (September 21, 2012)
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In a show of mass frustration at the armed groups, protesters seized
control of several militia headquarters on Friday night and handed them
over to Libya’s national army in what appeared to be a coordinated
sweep. They also stormed the headquarters of Ansar al-Sharia, a
hard-line Islamist militia that has been linked to the attack on the
United States Mission in Benghazi that killed the ambassador and three
other Americans.
As members of Ansar al-Sharia fled their headquarters, protesters set at
least one vehicle on fire, and Reuters reported that one person was
killed. There were unconfirmed reports that several had been wounded by
the departing gunmen.
At the seized headquarters of another militia, protesters burned and
pillaged a large number of weapons, and hundreds of looters could be
seen walking away with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenade
launchers.
The killing of the ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens,
a well-liked figure in Benghazi because he had worked closely with the
rebels who toppled Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi last year, appeared to be the
catalyst for the protests on Friday, though hardly its only cause.
The militias, which started forming soon after the February 2011
uprising against Colonel Qaddafi began in this eastern Libyan city,
emerged as a parallel and often menacing presence after his downfall in
October 2011, seizing territory for themselves and asserting their
authority over the fledgling government.
In western Libya, turf wars between militias resulted in regular street
fights with heavy weapons. Months ago, members of Ansar al-Sharia
brandishing weapons paraded through Benghazi and called for an Islamic
state.
It was unclear whether the backlash against Ansar al-Sharia and the
other militias on Friday represented an opportunity for the government
to consolidate its power in the post-Qaddafi era or would lead to new
violent confrontations.
But no weapons were left behind in most of the seizures, protesters and
officials said, suggesting the militias had been anticipating such an
event because of a buildup of resentment against them.
In a further sign that tensions had been stoked, some militia members
accused Qaddafi loyalists of instigating the backlash. Mohamed Bazina, a
spokesman for the Rafallah al-Sehati brigade, one of the militias whose
headquarters were seized, said it had video evidence to prove it.
“This is a military coup against the true revolutionaries in the city of
Benghazi,” he said. “Benghazi will not calm down.”
The attack on the American Mission in Benghazi that killed Ambassador
Stevens, on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, was an affront
to many in Benghazi, which Mr. Stevens had made his base during the
uprising. He became a familiar, cheerful presence at public events.
“We want justice for Chris,” read one sign among the estimated 30,000
Libyans, including families, who marched into Benghazi’s main square on
Friday to protest in front of the chief encampment of Ansar al-Sharia.
Some held signs reading “The ambassador was Libya’s friend” and “Libya
lost a friend.” Many protesters carried Libyan flags, and government
police officers could be seen mingling with the marchers.
Members of Ansar al-Sharia held a counterdemonstration, and arguments
erupted between the opposing sides, but no violence occurred, at least
not initially. Protesters chanted: “You terrorists, you cowards. Go back
to Afghanistan.”
Mr. Stevens and the others were killed in mayhem that was ostensibly
provoked by anger over an anti-Muslim video that was made in the United
States and has been roiling the Islamic world for nearly two weeks. But
officials have said there are indications that part of the attack may
have been coordinated and planned.
The organization and firepower used in the assault has also raised alarm in Washington about the possibility of links to Al Qaeda. But to Libyans, the assault underscored instability in a country where militias keep weapons at the ready.
Related
Libya Envoy’s Killing Was a Terrorist Attack, the White House Says (September 21, 2012)
After Attack in Libya, an Ambush Struck Rescuers (September 21, 2012)
Times Topic: The 'Innocence of Muslims' Riots (Nakoula Basseley Nakoula)
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The Obama administration has been careful about publicly assigning blame in the death of Mr. Stevens and the others until law enforcement officials, including the F.B.I., know more. But the administration has begun to call the killings a “terrorist attack.”
The change in language came as Congressional Republicans criticized the administration over what they called its failure to anticipate the problems in Libya. Some Republican lawmakers have moved to cut off aid to Libya as a result.
But one powerful Republican, Senator John McCain, counseled against such a move, citing the pro-American sentiments of some of the demonstrators who confronted Ansar al-Sharia on Friday.
“These brave people in Libya are friends of America,” he said. “They want our help and need our help. And we must continue to provide it to them, which is exactly what Chris Stevens would have wanted.”
The fatal attack on the United States diplomatic compound here was actually a two-pronged assault, according to survivors. After attackers overwhelmed security at the American Mission, the survivors congregated at a nearby villa, surrounded by friendly Libyan forces, and believed themselves to be safe and waiting evacuation to the airport. The ambassador’s whereabouts was not known.
About 2 a.m., the ambush began, with gunfire and mortar rounds striking where the survivors had taken shelter. Two of the guards, Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty, were killed. Questions about the ambush remain, but those who were present said it was conducted with a great deal of accuracy.
While the others were at the villa, Mr. Stevens; a computer technician, Sean Smith; and a security officer moved to a designated “safe haven” for the night, but attackers doused the building with fuel and ignited it. It was not known whether they were aware it was inhabited. The guard, who has not been identified, escaped the building, but Mr. Smith and Mr. Stevens were asphyxiated.
The organization and firepower used in the assault has also raised alarm in Washington about the possibility of links to Al Qaeda. But to Libyans, the assault underscored instability in a country where militias keep weapons at the ready.
Related
Libya Envoy’s Killing Was a Terrorist Attack, the White House Says (September 21, 2012)
After Attack in Libya, an Ambush Struck Rescuers (September 21, 2012)
Times Topic: The 'Innocence of Muslims' Riots (Nakoula Basseley Nakoula)
World Twitter Logo.
Connect With Us on Twitter
Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.
Twitter List: Reporters and Editors
The Obama administration has been careful about publicly assigning blame in the death of Mr. Stevens and the others until law enforcement officials, including the F.B.I., know more. But the administration has begun to call the killings a “terrorist attack.”
The change in language came as Congressional Republicans criticized the administration over what they called its failure to anticipate the problems in Libya. Some Republican lawmakers have moved to cut off aid to Libya as a result.
But one powerful Republican, Senator John McCain, counseled against such a move, citing the pro-American sentiments of some of the demonstrators who confronted Ansar al-Sharia on Friday.
“These brave people in Libya are friends of America,” he said. “They want our help and need our help. And we must continue to provide it to them, which is exactly what Chris Stevens would have wanted.”
The fatal attack on the United States diplomatic compound here was actually a two-pronged assault, according to survivors. After attackers overwhelmed security at the American Mission, the survivors congregated at a nearby villa, surrounded by friendly Libyan forces, and believed themselves to be safe and waiting evacuation to the airport. The ambassador’s whereabouts was not known.
About 2 a.m., the ambush began, with gunfire and mortar rounds striking where the survivors had taken shelter. Two of the guards, Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty, were killed. Questions about the ambush remain, but those who were present said it was conducted with a great deal of accuracy.
While the others were at the villa, Mr. Stevens; a computer technician, Sean Smith; and a security officer moved to a designated “safe haven” for the night, but attackers doused the building with fuel and ignited it. It was not known whether they were aware it was inhabited. The guard, who has not been identified, escaped the building, but Mr. Smith and Mr. Stevens were asphyxiated.
The organization and firepower used in the assault has also raised alarm in Washington about the possibility of links to Al Qaeda. But to Libyans, the assault underscored instability in a country where militias keep weapons at the ready.
Related
-
Libya Envoy’s Killing Was a Terrorist Attack, the White House Says (September 21, 2012)
-
After Attack in Libya, an Ambush Struck Rescuers (September 21, 2012)
Times Topic: The 'Innocence of Muslims' Riots (Nakoula Basseley Nakoula)
The Obama administration has been careful about publicly assigning blame
in the death of Mr. Stevens and the others until law enforcement
officials, including the F.B.I., know more. But the administration has
begun to call the killings a “terrorist attack.”
The change in language came as Congressional Republicans criticized the
administration over what they called its failure to anticipate the
problems in Libya. Some Republican lawmakers have moved to cut off aid
to Libya as a result.
But one powerful Republican, Senator John McCain, counseled against such
a move, citing the pro-American sentiments of some of the demonstrators
who confronted Ansar al-Sharia on Friday.
“These brave people in Libya are friends of America,” he said. “They
want our help and need our help. And we must continue to provide it to
them, which is exactly what Chris Stevens would have wanted.”
The fatal attack on the United States diplomatic compound here was
actually a two-pronged assault, according to survivors. After attackers
overwhelmed security at the American Mission, the survivors congregated
at a nearby villa, surrounded by friendly Libyan forces, and believed
themselves to be safe and waiting evacuation to the airport. The
ambassador’s whereabouts was not known.
About 2 a.m., the ambush began, with gunfire and mortar rounds striking
where the survivors had taken shelter. Two of the guards, Tyrone S.
Woods and Glen A. Doherty, were killed. Questions about the ambush
remain, but those who were present said it was conducted with a great
deal of accuracy.
While the others were at the villa, Mr. Stevens; a computer technician,
Sean Smith; and a security officer moved to a designated “safe haven”
for the night, but attackers doused the building with fuel and ignited
it. It was not known whether they were aware it was inhabited. The
guard, who has not been identified, escaped the building, but Mr. Smith
and Mr. Stevens were asphyxiated.
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