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Libya: Islamist militia bases stormed in Benghazi Libya: Islamist militia bases stormed in Benghazi
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of Libyan protesters have stormed the Benghazi headquarters of Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia in a backlash against last week's attack on the US consulate. At least three people have been killed in the Libyan city of Benghazi after military police and protesters took over several militia bases.
Witnesses say militiamen opened fire as the crowd overran the base, but it is not clear if there are casualties. The violence followed a day of protests by tens of thousands of citizens demanding an end to the armed groups.
Buildings and a car were set alight and fighters evicted following a day of anti-militia protests in the city. The bases include the HQ of the Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, suspected of involvement in an attack on the US consulate in the city.
US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others died in the 11 September attack. The deaths occurred during a standoff at the base of another group.
Earlier, some 30,000 protesters had marched through the eastern Libyan city calling for an end to the armed groups that have sprung up in the country since last year's ousting of Col Gaddafi. Witnesses say supporters of Ansar al-Sharia lined up outside its headquarters, in front of the crowd, waving black and white banners.
Several thousand supporters of Ansar al-Sharia lined up outside its headquarters, in front of the crowd, waving black and white banners, AP news agency reported. They fired into the air to try to disperse the protesters, but fled with their weapons after the base was surrounded by waves of people shouting "no to militias".
They fired into the air to try to disperse the protesters, but fled with their weapons after the base was surrounded by waves of people shouting "no to militias", the report added. Buildings and a car were set alight and fighters evicted.
Witnesses said police were also seen inside the base alongside the protesters. However, in a standoff outside the headquarters of the Sahaty Brigade in the city, three people were killed and at least 20 injured according to witnesses and officials.
"I don't want to see armed men wearing Afghani-style clothes stopping me in the street to give me orders, I only want to see people in uniform," said university student Omar Mohammed, who took part in the takeover. Wave of hostility
An ambulance driver told Reuters that several people had been wounded by gunfire, but this was not confirmed. The BBC's Rana Jawad in the capital Tripoli says the Sahaty Brigade is believed to be operating under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.
Militia power Officials in Tripoli have been appealing for calm, she says.
Many Libyans have expressed outrage at the attack on the US consulate, which killed Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans. Senior Libyan officials say that while they welcomed the protests, people should differentiate between the rogue militias and honest rebel brigades that helped to secure the town in last year's uprising against Col Muammar Gaddafi.
The attack followed a protest triggered by the US-made film that is said to have insulted the Prophet Muhammad. Earlier, some 30,000 protesters marched through Benghazi calling for an end to the armed groups and a return to the rule of law.
There has been a wave of hostility towards the militias since US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others Americans died in the 11 September attack on the Benghazi consulate.
"I don't want to see armed men wearing Afghani-style clothes stopping me in the street to give me orders, I only want to see people in uniform," said university student Omar Mohammed, who took part in the takeover of the Ansar al-Sharia compound.
Many Libyans have expressed outrage at the attack on the US consulate, which followed a protest triggered by an anti-Islam film made in the US.
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.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 was the largest seen in Benghazi, considered the heartland of Libya's uprising, since Col Gaddafi was deposed. Friday's march was the largest seen in Benghazi - considered the heartland of Libya's uprising - since Col Gaddafi was deposed.
Armed militia groups which helped defeat Gaddafi remain powerful in many parts of the country. Armed militia groups which helped to defeat Gaddafi remain powerful in many parts of the country.
They are better armed and more numerous than Libya's official 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 official army, and there have been reports of militias intimidating and carrying out killings against rivals.
Earlier this week authorities in Libya arrested around 50 people in connection with the attack on the US consulate.Earlier this week authorities in Libya arrested around 50 people in connection with the attack on the US consulate.
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