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| Africa North |
| Calm returns to Sirte after deadly clashes left two dead and four injured |
| 2013-12-13 |
| [Libya Herald] Calm returned today to Sirte after yesterday's communal festivities which left two dead and four others injured. The festivities erupted in the Jiza Bahriya district between young Misratis living in Sirte and members of the Qadhadhfa tribe. There has been long-standing hostility between the two communities since before the revolution. "Initially, it was a family feud but then it escalated into armed festivities between men from the two groups," a member of Sirte Local Council who did not want to be named told the Libya Herald. Heavy weapons were used during the festivities and the road to Jiza Bahriya was closed for over 15 hours, he added. The two dead young men, one a Misrati the other a Qadhadhfi, have been named as Rajab Sghaier Triya and Mohammed Omar Abdu. The maimed were taken to Ibn Sina Hospital, with one of them said to be in a critical condition. Attempts at pacifying the factions were initiated yesterday by Sirte Council of Elders as well as a number of local civil society organizations. "They made huge progress in their initiative," the Sirte Local Council member said. He also credited Ansar al-Sharia ...a Salafist militia which claims it is not part of al-Qaeda, even though it works about the same and for the same ends. There are groups of the same name in Libya, Tunisia and Yemen, with the Libyan and Tunisian versions currently most active... in Sirte with attempts at containing the violence. Meanwhile, ...back at the dirigible, Jack stuck the cigar in his mouth, stepped onto the gantry, and asked Got a light, Mac? Von Schtinken stopped short, lowering the dagger and trying to control his features. If you light that thing, Herr Armschtröng,he pointed out, his voice tense, we all die!... Sirte's newly appointed military commander, Abdulmajid Zeidan, visited the town today and met with the local council and elders of the town to discuss local security. Sirte has seen a spate of violence in recent months, including the murders of a number of leading officials, the most recent being that of passports officer Colonel Ramadan Al-Tarooq three days ago. |
| Posted by:Fred |