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| Africa North |
| Clashes in Libya capital kill 22, wound 72 |
| 2014-08-04 |
| [Al Ahram] Clashes between rival militias in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... have killed at least 22 people and maimed 72, the Libyan government said on Sunday, warning of a "worsening humanitarian situation" in the capital. The latest fighting, which broke out on Saturday, takes the corpse count in Tripoli to 124 since July 13, with more than 500 maimed. A medical source said the number was understated as official figures excluded those treated in hospitals outside Tripoli, in particular at Misrata, which has sent fighters to the conflict in the capital. The transitional government said "several hundred" families had been displaced and there was a "worsening humanitarian situation" in Tripoli, where petrol and bottled gas are scarce along with food supplies. On Sunday the centre of the city was livelier than in recent days despite the continuation of fighting south of Tripoli. However, it was a brave man who first ate an oyster... most shops and banks were shut and the sky was covered in black smoke from a petrochemical depot ravaged by a fire resulting from the fighting of the past week. Tripoli airport has been closed since July 13, and some aircraft damaged, amid festivities between rival militias which fought together in 2011 to help overthrow dictator Muammar Qadaffy ...The late megalomaniac dictator of Libya, admired everywhere for his garish costumes, funny hats, harem of cutie bodyguards, and incoherent ravings. As far as is known, he is the only person who's ever declared jihad on Switzerland... Experts say the unrest is partly a struggle for influence between regions but also rivalry between political factions as the country plunges into chaos, with the authorities failing to control the dozens of militias whose word is law in the absence of a properly structured and trained police force and army. |
| Posted by:Fred |