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Libya: Thousands join anti-militia protest in Benghazi Libya: Islamist militia bases stormed in Benghazi
(about 1 hour later)
Some 30,000 Libyans have marched through the city of Benghazi in a pro-democracy protest against Islamist militias that stormed the US consulate. Hundreds of Libyan protesters have stormed the Benghazi headquarters of Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia in a backlash after last week's attack on the US consulate.
There are reports that the crowd marched on the base of the extremist Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, trying to evict members from the site. Security forces were also involved and took over several militia bases, evicting many militia fighters.
Some protesters set fire to a vehicle inside the compound, Reuters reported. The assault follows a day of anti-militia protests in Benghazi, sparked by the storming of the consulate.
Several militias bases have been taken over by security forces, eyewitnesses said. Some 30,000 anti-militia protesters had marched in Benghazi earlier on Friday.
Last week's consulate attack, which killed the US ambassador, has sparked a backlash against extremist Islamists in Benghazi where many fear militias are out of control. Militia flags were pulled down and a vehicle was set on fire inside the compound of Ansar al-Sharia's main base, the Reuters news agency reported.
The Associated Press reported that several thousand supporters of Ansar al-Sharia lined up outside its headquarters, in front of the crowd, waving black and white banners.
Militia control
Many Libyans have expressed outrage at the attack on the US consulate, which killed US Ambassador Chris Stevens.
Libya's interim government has since come under renewed and intense pressure to rein in well-armed extremist militia groups and force them to disband.
Friday's march is the largest seen in Benghazi, considered the heartland of Libya's uprising, since Colonel Gaddafi was deposed last year.Friday's march is the largest seen in Benghazi, considered the heartland of Libya's uprising, since Colonel Gaddafi was deposed last year.
The Associated Press reported that several thousand supporters of Ansar al-Sharia lined up outside its headquarters, before the crowd, waving black and white banners.
Armed militia groups, which have remained in force in many parts of Libya, are a legacy of last year's fighting which helped overthrow Gaddafi.Armed militia groups, which have remained in force in many parts of Libya, are a legacy of last year's fighting which helped overthrow Gaddafi.
They are better armed and more numerous than Libya's real army, and there have been reports of militias intimidating and carrying out killings against rivals.They are better armed and more numerous than Libya's real army, and there have been reports of militias intimidating and carrying out killings against rivals.
Many Libyans are angry that the interim government has not been able to control them.
Earlier this week authorities in Libya arrested around 50 people in connection with the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.Earlier this week authorities in Libya arrested around 50 people in connection with the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.
Are you in Benghazi? Send us your comments and experiences using form below.Are you in Benghazi? Send us your comments and experiences using form below.
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