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On Day of Protests, Inmates Escape From a Libyan Prison Amid Protests, Inmates Escape From Libyan Prison
(about 4 hours 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 a thousand inmates escaped from a prison in Libya on Saturday as protesters stormed political party offices across the country, signs of the simmering unrest gripping a nation overrun by militias and awash in weapons.
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 Al Kweifiya prison, had been part of the demonstrations. The protesters were angry over the assassination on Friday of an activist critical of the country’s Muslim Brotherhood.
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. Inmates started a riot and set fires after security forces opened fire on three detainees who tried to escape the jail, a prison security official said. Gunmen quickly arrived at the prison after news of the riot spread, opening fire with rifles outside in a bid to free their imprisoned relatives, a Benghazi-based security official said.
There also was confusion over the number of prisoners who broke out, with reports ranging as high as 1,200. Those who escaped were either awaiting trial or had been convicted of serious charges, the prison official said. The two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak to journalists.
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. Special forces later arrested 18 of the escapees, while some returned on their own, said Mohammed Hejazi, a government security official in Benghazi. The three inmates who initially escaped were wounded and taken to a hospital, he said.
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. There was confusion, however, about exactly how many prisoners broke out, with reports of the number of escapees ranging as high as 1,200.
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. At a news conference, Prime Minister Ali Zidan blamed the jailbreak on those living around the prison.
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. “The prison was attacked by the citizens who live nearby, because they don’t want a prison in their region,” he said. “Special forces were present and could have got the situation under control by using their arms, but they had received orders not to use their weapons on citizens, so the citizens opened the doors to the prisoners.”
“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. Benghazi’s security is among the most precarious in post-revolution Libya. Last year, the American ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans were killed in an attack on a United States diplomatic mission in the city.
Mr. Mosmary, who had publicly criticized the Brotherhood, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Benghazi. Meanwhile Saturday, hundreds gathered in the capital, Tripoli, after dawn prayers, denouncing the shooting death of the activist, Abdul-Salam al-Musmari. They set fire to tires in the street and demanded the dissolution of Islamist parties.
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. The two episodes highlighted Libya’s deteriorating security situation and the challenges the North African country faces as it tries to restore calm nearly two years after the ouster and killing of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, the longtime dictator.
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. 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 the country’s ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, who is allied with the Brotherhood.
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. “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 new security forces are struggling to control the country’s militias, most of whom have roots in the rebel groups that overthrew Colonel Qaddafi in 2011.
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. Mr. Musmari, who used to publicly criticize 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 the capital, destroying furniture. Witnesses say demonstrators also stormed a Brotherhood party office in Benghazi.
Protesters angry with Libya’s weak central government also targeted the liberal National Forces Alliance, ransacking its headquarters. The party came out on top in Libya’s first free parliamentary elections last year.
Security forces in Libya have been unable to impose their authority on the country since Colonel Qaddafi’s s ouster. Militias, many made up of former rebels who fought in the civil war that toppled him, have grown in strength, and in many areas rival the security forces in their firepower and reach. The armed forces also rely on militias for help securing the country in some cases.
On Saturday, a colonel was killed by gunmen in Benghazi. Three other security officers were killed a day earlier when gunmen opened fire on them. Security forces are frequently targets in the country.
Mr. Zidan, the prime minister, said an investigation had begun into the circumstances around Mr. Musmari’s slaying. He said a foreign criminal investigation team would join Libyan investigators in Tripoli and Benghazi on Monday, but did not offer further details.
Human Rights Watch urged the Libyan government to “conduct a prompt and thorough investigation” of Mr. Musmari’s death, believed to be the first targeted killing of a political activist.
“Libya’s fragile transition is at stake if political killings go unpunished,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “This makes investigating al-Musmari’s murder all the more urgent.”