World
        

Politics

38 injured in Libyan anti-government unrest

Updated: 2011-02-17 09:23

(Xinhua)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

TRIPOLI - At least 38 people were injured in clashes in the eastern city of Benghazi, a Libyan newspaper said Wednesday.

Security forces and demonstrators clashed in the city late on Tuesday, in what it branded the work of "saboteurs" among a small group of protestors, Libya's Quryna newspaper said.

Related readings:
38 injured in Libyan anti-government unrest Anti-government protests erupt in Libya

The protest started as a sit-in by families of prisoners killed in a 1996 shooting in Tripoli's Abu Salim prison demanding the release of their lawyer Fethi Tarbel.

Tarbel had been detained for having "spread rumors that the prison (in Tripoli)" was on fire, according to Quryna, but was release after the demonstration.

The demonstrators gathered in the wee hours of the morning in front of police headquarters and chanted slogans against the " corrupt rulers of the country."

As many as 14 people were injured in the clashes, including three demonstrators and 10 security officials.

Anti-government protesters have also called on citizens to observe Thursday as a "Day of Rage," in hopes of emulating the recent popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt to end Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year old rule.

The country's official news agency made no mention of the protests, saying only that supporters of Gaddafi were demonstrating in the capital Tripoli, in Benghazi and in other cities.

E-paper

Ear We Go

China and the world set to embrace the merciful, peaceful year of rabbit

Preview of the coming issue
Carrefour finds the going tough in China
Maid to Order

European Edition

Specials

Mysteries written in blood

Historical records and Caucasian features of locals suggest link with Roman Empire.

Winning Charm

Coastal Yantai banks on little things that matter to grow

New rules to hit property market

The State Council launched a new round of measures to rein in property prices.

Top 10 of 2010
China Daily in Europe
The Confucius connection