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Benghazi jugs Afromercenaries; Residents set up defenses
[Arab News] Residents of Benghazi have jugged those they say are African mercenaries and set up defenses around this eastern city now out of the control of leader Muammar Qadaffy, who has lost control of swathes of Libya.A court compound in the center of Benghazi, on the Mediterranean coast, has become a focal point for those seeking to reimpose law and order after a bloody rebellion against Qadaffy loyalists who relinquished the city to residents. Defenses were being prepared in some parts of the city for the chance of an attack by Qadaffy's forces, said organizers who have set up committees to run the city. The airport was closed because residents feared more mercenaries could be flown in. "We expect an attack, but we are not afraid," said Soliman Karim, a 65-year-old lawyer involved in the organization, adding the city had enough food but hospitals were low on medicine. "There is plenty of food, thank God. Our problem is a lack of medicine," he said, sitting in the courthouse as demonstrators gathered outside, chanting "Free Libya, Free Libya" and waving monarchy-era flags. A Rooters correspondent was shown about a dozen people held in a court building. Residents said they were "mercenaries" backing Qadaffy, some were said to be African and others from southern Libya. The correspondent could not speak to them. "They have been interrogated, and they are being kept safe, and they are fed well," said Imam Bugaighis, 50, a university lecturer now helping to organize committees to run the city, adding that they would be tried according to the law. "There will be a trial for them, even Qadaffy will have a trial. Murdering and liquidations without trial were their (Qadaffy's government) language, Our language is the language of the constitution," she told Rooters. The men they said were mercenaries wore sports tops and a couple of them had bandages. Several wore sports tops. They appeared to be tired, not frightened and obeying orders. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-26 |
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