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| On Day of Protests, Inmates Escape From a Libyan Prison | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| TRIPOLI, Libya — More than 1,000 detainees escaped from a prison near the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Saturday, as protesters stormed the offices of political parties in Libya’s main cities. | TRIPOLI, Libya — More than 1,000 detainees escaped from a prison near the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Saturday, as protesters stormed the offices of political parties in Libya’s main cities. |
| It was not immediately clear whether the jailbreak, at the Koyfiya prison, was part of the protests or whether inmates received outside help. Protesters angry over the assassination of an activist critical of the country’s Muslim Brotherhood massed across the country late Friday and Saturday. | It was not immediately clear whether the jailbreak, at the Koyfiya prison, was part of the protests or whether inmates received outside help. Protesters angry over the assassination of an activist critical of the country’s Muslim Brotherhood massed across the country late Friday and Saturday. |
| Those who escaped were either awaiting trial or had been convicted of serious charges, a security official at the prison said. He spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists. | Those who escaped were either awaiting trial or had been convicted of serious charges, a security official at the prison said. He spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists. |
| There also was confusion over the number of prisoners who broke out, with reports ranging as high as 1,200. | There also was confusion over the number of prisoners who broke out, with reports ranging as high as 1,200. |
| Benghazi’s security situation is among the most precarious in postrevolution Libya. Last year, the United States ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an attack there. | Benghazi’s security situation is among the most precarious in postrevolution Libya. Last year, the United States ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an attack there. |
| Meanwhile on Saturday, hundreds gathered in the capital, Tripoli, after dawn prayers, to denounce the killing of the activist, Abdelsalam al-Mosmary. They burned tires in the street and demanded the dissolution of Islamist parties. | Meanwhile on Saturday, hundreds gathered in the capital, Tripoli, after dawn prayers, to denounce the killing of the activist, Abdelsalam al-Mosmary. They burned tires in the street and demanded the dissolution of Islamist parties. |
| The two episodes highlighted Libya’s precarious security situation and the challenges the country faces as it tries to restore security nearly than two years after the ouster and killing of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. | The two episodes highlighted Libya’s precarious security situation and the challenges the country faces as it tries to restore security nearly than two years after the ouster and killing of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. |
| In Tripoli, protesters appeared to be inspired by events in neighboring Egypt, where millions took to the streets on Friday to answer a call from the army chief, who said he wanted a mandate to stop “potential terrorism” by supporters of Egypt’s ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, who is allied with the Brotherhood. | In Tripoli, protesters appeared to be inspired by events in neighboring Egypt, where millions took to the streets on Friday to answer a call from the army chief, who said he wanted a mandate to stop “potential terrorism” by supporters of Egypt’s ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, who is allied with the Brotherhood. |
| “We don’t want the Brotherhood, we want the army and the police,” Libyan protesters chanted, repeating a slogan also used in Egypt. Libya’s nascent security forces are struggling to control the country’s militias, most of which have roots in the rebel groups that overthrew Colonel Qaddafi in 2011. | “We don’t want the Brotherhood, we want the army and the police,” Libyan protesters chanted, repeating a slogan also used in Egypt. Libya’s nascent security forces are struggling to control the country’s militias, most of which have roots in the rebel groups that overthrew Colonel Qaddafi in 2011. |
| Mr. Mosmary, who had publicly criticized the Brotherhood, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Benghazi. | Mr. Mosmary, who had publicly criticized the Brotherhood, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Benghazi. |
| Some protesters stormed the headquarters of a Brotherhood-affiliated political party and another Islamist-allied party in Tripoli, destroying furniture. Witnesses said a Brotherhood office was also stormed in Benghazi. | Some protesters stormed the headquarters of a Brotherhood-affiliated political party and another Islamist-allied party in Tripoli, destroying furniture. Witnesses said a Brotherhood office was also stormed in Benghazi. |
| Protesters angry with the Libya’s weak central government also targeted the liberal National Forces Alliance, ransacking its headquarters. The party came on top in Libya’s first free parliamentary elections last year. | Protesters angry with the Libya’s weak central government also targeted the liberal National Forces Alliance, ransacking its headquarters. The party came on top in Libya’s first free parliamentary elections last year. |
| Libyan security forces have been unable to impose their authority on the country. Militias, many made up of former rebels who fought in the civil war that toppled Colonel Qaddafi, have grown in strength, and some rival the security forces in their firepower and reach. The military also sometimes relies on militias for help securing the country. | Libyan security forces have been unable to impose their authority on the country. Militias, many made up of former rebels who fought in the civil war that toppled Colonel Qaddafi, have grown in strength, and some rival the security forces in their firepower and reach. The military also sometimes relies on militias for help securing the country. |
| On Saturday, a Libyan colonel was killed by unidentified assailants in Benghazi. Three other security members were killed a day earlier when gunmen opened fire. | On Saturday, a Libyan colonel was killed by unidentified assailants in Benghazi. Three other security members were killed a day earlier when gunmen opened fire. |