Libya is experiencing mass protests against its leader, Muammar
Gaddafi, inspired by the disorders in Tunisia and Egypt. However,
supporters of the Libyan leader went out on the streets as well, RIA
Novosti reports.
Opposition against the Libyan leader is especially active in the east
of the country, in Benghazi, where Gaddafi is less popular.
Approximately 200 people have died in clashes with the military.
Libyan Prime Minister al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi said at a meeting
with EU ambassadors in Tripoli that the authorities have the right to
take any measures to preserve the country’s unity.
Disorders started in Tripoli last night. Al Jazeera reported that the
police used tear gas against protesters. Gunshots were heard.
Arabian media report that some military units joined the protesters in
Benghazi and attacked supporters of the government.
The son of the Libyan leader, Seif al-Islam, said that the military
are loyal to Gaddafi and will protect him. He said that the armed
forces will protect the country at any price. al-Islam noted that the
situation in Benghazi is complicated and that weapons were stolen from
the police and military arsenals.
Gaddafi’s son said that there are hundreds of thousands of people
supporting his father. He proposed starting a dialogue with the
opposition on democratic reforms and avoid starting a civil war. A
package of reforms is ready, al-Islam said.
Civil war and the splitting of the country would ruin development,
education and healthcare, he said. al-Islam reminded his listeners
that the country consists of tribes that will start fighting each
other once the central authority is gone.
The diplomatic head of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, urged
Libya to be moderate, put an end to violence and start a dialogue with
public figures. The USA and Japan condemned the Libyan authorities.
The Libyan representative to the League of Arab States, Abdelmonem
al-Hani, resigned over the actions against protesters.
The protests started on February 15.
