Battles rage as rebels seize Libyan towns
Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:25pm GMT
U.S. President Barack Obama made his first public comments, condemning as "outrageous" and "unacceptable" attacks on protesters that have killed hundreds in 10 days.
DEFIANCE
Washington and Brussels spoke of possible sanctions against a man whose 41 years in power have been marked by idiosyncratic defiance of the West, yet there seemed little cohesion or urgency in the global response to the Libyan crisis.
The desert nation pumps nearly 2 percent of the world's oil.
"It is imperative that the nations and peoples of the world speak with one voice," Obama said. "The suffering and bloodshed are outrageous."
French Defence Minister Alain Juppe said he hoped Gaddafi was "living his last moments as leader". British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the world to increase pressure on Gaddafi.
Residents have taken control of Benghazi, the eastern regional capital where the rebellion started a week ago.
After a week of violence in which it threw off government control, the city is starting to run itself under "people's committees" as the dust of rebellion settles. In the east of Libya, many soldiers have withdrawn from active service.
A Reuters correspondent was shown about a dozen people being held in a court building who residents said were "mercenaries" backing Gaddafi. Some were said to be African and others from southern Libya.
"They have been interrogated, and they are being kept safe, and they are fed well," said Imam Bugaighis, 50, a university lecturer now helping organise committees to run the city, adding that they would be tried according to the law, but the collapse of institutions of state meant the timing was not clear.
Angry residents destroyed a compound they said had been used by the mercenaries.
In Tripoli, which remains largely closed to foreign media, locals said they were too scared to go outside for fear of being shot by pro-government forces.
"People have started working today. But that does not mean they are not afraid. But until now, people are moving around," a resident told Reuters.
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Thursday 24 February 2011
Battles rage as rebels seize Libyan towns | Top News | Reuters
via af.reuters.com
