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Libya gunmen surround Tripoli foreign ministry Libya gunmen surround Tripoli foreign ministry
(about 3 hours later)
Men in pick-up trucks bristling with anti-aircraft guns have blocked off Libya's foreign ministry, demanding a jobs ban on Gaddafi-era officials.Men in pick-up trucks bristling with anti-aircraft guns have blocked off Libya's foreign ministry, demanding a jobs ban on Gaddafi-era officials.
Dozens of armed men stopped workers entering the building and moved traffic away from the area, witnesses said.Dozens of armed men stopped workers entering the building and moved traffic away from the area, witnesses said.
Libyan officials have been unable to agree the terms of a law barring figures from the late Col Gaddafi's government from entering politics.Libyan officials have been unable to agree the terms of a law barring figures from the late Col Gaddafi's government from entering politics.
Armed groups have responded by storming the Congress on several occasions.Armed groups have responded by storming the Congress on several occasions.
BBC Libya correspondent Rana Jawad, who has been to the scene, says the image of an armed brigade blocking access to a public building has so far usually been reserved for Libya's legislature. Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, at a news conference, urged Libyans to back their government in the face of "people who want to destabilise the country".
In March, protesters barricaded members of the General National Congress inside the building for hours, insisting they adopt the law. He also complained of other attacks and "acts of sabotage", carried out by separate groups, against the interior ministry and national TV headquarters. But Libya's Lana news agency said the action at the interior ministry was not linked to the events outside the foreign ministry.
On Sunday, roads leading to the foreign ministry building in the capital, Tripoli, were obstructed by at least 20 vehicles, as militiamen carrying AK-47 rifles moved into the area, although they did not enter the ministry itself. Young and old
There was a mix of men, young and old, some in civilian clothes and others wearing army fatigues, our correspondent says. Roads leading to the building in the capital, Tripoli, were obstructed by at least 20 vehicles, as militiamen carrying AK-47 rifles moved into the area, although they did not enter the ministry itself.
There was a mix of men, young and old, some in civilian clothes and others wearing army fatigues, BBC Libya correspondent Rana Jawad reported from the scene.
They had no clear leader, but said they would remain until their demands were met.They had no clear leader, but said they would remain until their demands were met.
The gunmen say some senior roles in the foreign ministry are still filled by former officials from the Gaddafi era. The image of an armed brigade blocking access to a public building had so far usually been reserved for Libya's legislature, our correspondent said.
The government has recently tried to dismantle illegally-armed militias that formed during and after the war that toppled Col Gaddafi in 2011. In March, protesters barricaded members of the General National Congress inside the building for hours, insisting they adopt the law keeping former Gaddafi-regime figures out of politics.
Since his death, Tripoli and other Libyan cities have been plagued by violence and infighting. But the gunmen outside the foreign ministry complained that some senior roles in the foreign ministry were still filled by former regime officials.
Since Col Gaddafi's death, Tripoli and other Libyan cities have been plagued by violence and infighting.
The government has recently tried to dismantle illegally-armed militias that formed during and after the war that toppled the former leader.
Last week, the French embassy in the capital was targeted by a car bomb that left two French guards wounded and caused serious damage.Last week, the French embassy in the capital was targeted by a car bomb that left two French guards wounded and caused serious damage.