Violence in Libya
Violence has broken out in the South Eastern region of Libya between government forces and members of the Tabu tribe, leading to the siege of the city of Al-Kufra. The army has blockaded the only road leading out of the city, and 11 people have been killed in the clashes. The violence erupted during protests by the Tabu tribe against discriminatory laws and poor medical care.
Also on Monday, violence erupted between students and security forces in Libya’s second largest city, Benghazi. According to a spokesperson of the opposition group, the National Front for the Salvation of Libya, although there is no clear link between the two events, “both were examples of the Libyan people standing up against the oppression under the rule of President Mu’ammar Al-Qadhafi.”
The Libyan media has failed to report on any of these events, however opposition groups and fellow bloggers have reached out to foreign news and humanitarian organizations in order to report the events that are occurring. Although it seems that relations with the West have improved for Libya, it is still clear that any dissent from within the country is handled with “an Iron Fist” and Libya still has a long way to go before it becomes a truly free nation for its people, an event that most likely will not happen as long as Qadhafi and his entourage are still in control of the country.
David Crowley
