Reports: Benghazi Now in the Hands of Libyan Protesters

long exiled opposition returning from the states very happy people want to thank all of you!!!!! you have helped them to achieve this by helping to shine a light on this dark corner of the world to bring freedom (hat tip from me too)

My friends are telling me ghaddafi has fled the country!!!!!

Fellow Americans, if the traditionally oppressed people throughout the Middle East, with no historical precedence for individual rights or power, are sufficiently able to rise against tyranny and effect positive changes in their countries, why is it that so many of us believe that we can no longer tackle our titans, and effect positive changes here at home? After decades of proclaiming what our influence upon the democratization of other parts of the world is, or should be, is it not ironic that it is the Middle East which is making the most demonstrable effort to secure and promote individual liberty and integrity?

awesome.

I don't like fact that here in the US that these news about Eygpt are not showing much concern about it. Just because it's not our war, our country dosent mean you turn a blind eye, or ignore it. I dont want to start a war with them for nothing but with them in such an uproar and the media is pretty much ignoring the problem, they could possibly be a threat to us because of our lack of compassion.

I don't like fact that here in the US that these news about Eygpt are not showing much concern about it. Just because it's not our war, our country dosent mean you turn a blind eye, or ignore it. I dont want to start a war with them for nothing but with them in such an uproar and the media is pretty much ignoring the problem, they could possibly be a threat to us because of our lack of compassion.

The people in the Arab world are finally waking up and reacting, and I think it is a good thing. I have no worries about Libyan oil supplies to Europe - the people need that income and will continue to export their oil. What will change is to whom the money will go, who will profit from it, and my bet is on the people.

The mighty are falling from power. The people are winning.
We can only hope more Americans stand up and demand democracy here.
End the plutocracy!

The people will prevail Khaddafi or whatever his name is will not survive this.

CONTINUED...

PART TWO...

The United States also said it was "gravely concerned with disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya.

"We are working to ascertain the facts, but we have received multiple credible reports that hundreds of people have been killed and injured in several days of unrest -- and the full extent of the death toll is unknown due to the lack of access of international media and human rights organizations," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in a statement.

U.S. officials have communicated to Libyan officials including Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa "our strong objections to the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators," Crowley said. "Libyan officials have stated their commitment to protecting and safeguarding the right of peaceful protest. We call upon the Libyan government to uphold that commitment and hold accountable any security officer who does not act in accordance with that commitment."

Earlier, the State Department said it had authorized the voluntary departure from Libya of family members of U.S. embassy staff.

"While demonstrations have not been directed toward Westerners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security," the department said.

People who appeared to be African mercenaries circled Benghazi's security headquarters Sunday. Meanwhile, thousands of people, including many lawyers, remained camped outside the city's high court chanting, "The people want to bring down the regime."

A report from Libya's state-run JANA news agency blames "acts of sabotage and burning" on outsiders aiming to undermine the nation's stability, security and unity. The report claims that the unrest has been fomented in Libya as well as Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon and Iran by an Israeli-led network of covert operatives.

Amnesty International also called on Gadhafi to rein in his security forces.

"It looks like Libya's leader may have ordered his forces to put down the protests virtually at any cost, and that cost is being paid in the lives of Libyans," said Malcolm Smart, the organization's director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement.

The reported death toll grew quickly over the weekend, standing at 184 before Sunday's violence. Doctors at one hospital said there was a shortage of beds and facilities since there are only 15 operating rooms. They said the hospital is using a nearby school to store some of the dead bodies until they are transported to morgues and cemeteries, and they have appealed to people to donate blankets.

Citizens spoke of a food shortage in various parts of the city. Libyans in Benghazi told CNN the internet remained down in the city and electricity was cut off for the second night in the row, but was back in the morning.

"There are a lot of people getting killed for their freedom," a protester told CNN Sunday. "Our goal is simple: We want Gadhafi to leave. We want freedom. ... We want democracy."

The man, a technology expert who has set up cameras airing live online video streams around Benghazi, estimated that the numbers of anti-government demonstrators in the city has grown by 20% since the protests began Tuesday.

Others in Libya reported similar protests in the cities of al-Baida, Ajdabiya and significantly in Misratah -- an indication that the demonstrations centered in the east were spreading west.

The doctor who gave CNN the death toll, at the Benghazi hospital said Sunday she worries more violence will ensue.

"I think -- and I hope not -- it's going to be (a) more disastrous situation than yesterday because yesterday was more of a disaster than the two days before," she said. "I'm so scared."

Demonstrations against Gadhafi began last week, part of the wave of protest that has swept the Arab world since January's revolt in neighboring Tunisia. Protesters have said the violent crackdown by security forces has left them energized.

In Tripoli, clashes broke out between a large crowd of demonstrators and people who appeared to be African mercenaries in the center of the city, according to an activist. Elsewhere, hundreds of protesters were demonstrating in front of the courthouse, the activist said. Both groups were calling for the downfall of the regime.

A woman also said she saw demonstrators running down a Tripoli street outside her window, chased by apparent mercenaries in pickup trucks. The Africans were firing at the demonstrators and throwing tear gas canisters at them, she said. Many families have closed their windows and turned off their lights out of fear, she said.

CNN's Moni Basu, Amir Ahmed, Yousuf Basil, Greg Botelho, Salma Abdelaziz, Zain Verjee, Anderson Cooper, Holly Yan and Mitra Mobasherat contributed to this report