A special report from inside the embattled Libyan capital
By Karin Laub and Maggie Michael, AP
"....In mid-February, when the region's wave of revolt reached Libya, thousands took to the streets in Tripoli, waving rebel tricolour flags. But in subsequent days, gunmen in 4x4s descended on homes at night to drag away suspected protesters [just as their Syrian counterparts are doing now in Syria], identified from security videos. Other militiamen searched hospitals to arrest wounded people. Since then, there have been no more mass protests, but dissidents say acts of resistance continue, such as days of fasting or tying the rebel flag to cats and dogs. A video posted by regime opponents shows a rebel flag – with the date 19 April and the words "Libya is Free. Tripoli" – hanging from a central motorway overpass earlier this week. Activists said the flag stayed up for 15 minutes. Another video showed a dozen masked demonstrators reading an anti-Gaddafi statement.
Rarely a night passes without heavy gunfire at local checkpoints from roving bands of protesters, said a Libyan journalist in Tripoli. The physician said security forces now avoid certain areas for fear of being ambushed. "The attacks are so frequent and widespread that it suggests the groups are numerous and well equipped," he said. Bursts of gunfire are heard frequently from a hotel where foreign journalists are based, sometimes accompanied by the honking of car horns. Mr Ibrahim, the government spokesman, said all the shooting is celebratory, from Gaddafi supporters firing into the air. Government officials and regime opponents say Tripoli is flooded with weapons. They are now largely in the hands of Gaddafi supporters, but could be turned against the government one day or fall into the hands of dissidents...."
By Karin Laub and Maggie Michael, AP
"....In mid-February, when the region's wave of revolt reached Libya, thousands took to the streets in Tripoli, waving rebel tricolour flags. But in subsequent days, gunmen in 4x4s descended on homes at night to drag away suspected protesters [just as their Syrian counterparts are doing now in Syria], identified from security videos. Other militiamen searched hospitals to arrest wounded people. Since then, there have been no more mass protests, but dissidents say acts of resistance continue, such as days of fasting or tying the rebel flag to cats and dogs. A video posted by regime opponents shows a rebel flag – with the date 19 April and the words "Libya is Free. Tripoli" – hanging from a central motorway overpass earlier this week. Activists said the flag stayed up for 15 minutes. Another video showed a dozen masked demonstrators reading an anti-Gaddafi statement.
Rarely a night passes without heavy gunfire at local checkpoints from roving bands of protesters, said a Libyan journalist in Tripoli. The physician said security forces now avoid certain areas for fear of being ambushed. "The attacks are so frequent and widespread that it suggests the groups are numerous and well equipped," he said. Bursts of gunfire are heard frequently from a hotel where foreign journalists are based, sometimes accompanied by the honking of car horns. Mr Ibrahim, the government spokesman, said all the shooting is celebratory, from Gaddafi supporters firing into the air. Government officials and regime opponents say Tripoli is flooded with weapons. They are now largely in the hands of Gaddafi supporters, but could be turned against the government one day or fall into the hands of dissidents...."
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