Friday, February 25, 2011

Alexander Dziadosz
Reuters

BENGHAZI, Libya: Residents of Benghazi have jailed those they say are mercenaries and set up “people’s committees” to run this eastern city now out of the control of leader Moammar Gadhafi, who has lost control of swathes of Libya.

A court compound in the center of Benghazi, on the Mediterranean coast, has become a focal point for those seeking to re-impose law and order after a bloody rebellion against Gadhafi loyalists who relinquished the city to residents.
A Reuters correspondent was shown about a dozen people held in a court building who residents said were “mercenaries” backing Gadhafi, some were said to be African and others from southern Libya.

“They have been interrogated, and they are being kept safe, and they are fed well,” said Imam Bugaighis, 50, a university lecturer now helping organize committees to run the city, adding that they would be tried according to the law, but the collapse of institutions of state meant the timing was not clear.
Angry residents of Benghazi have destroyed the compound they say was used by African mercenaries recruited by Gadhafi.

The building where residents said the mercenaries’ battalion was holed up stood in ruins with its shattered walls scrawled upon with graffiti condemning Gadhafi saying “Libya is Free” and “Down with Gadhafi.”

A lawyer in Benghazi said a security committee formed by civilians there Monday after they took control of the city had arrested 36 “mercenaries” from Chad, Niger and Sudan who were hired by Gadhafi’s Praetorian Guard.
Tractors and diggers had been used to destroy the mercenaries’ building and one machine was still lodged in the wreckage. A nearby police station was charred, riddled with bullet holes.
Benghazi residents at the compound vowed to fight on.

“Many people attacked this base and the army used heavy, heavy guns … Many people died,” said Ahmad Sowesy, 40, a microbiologist.
One police officer said it was now safe for him and his colleagues to be back on the streets. “We didn’t go out before because people didn’t want police on the streets. But we are with them and couldn’t leave them,” Mohammad Huweidy, 24, said.

In another eastern city, Tobruk, one resident said the clans will never back Moammar Gadhafi.
“With 1,000 people dead, none of the clans will go back to Gadhafi,” said one man, who gave his name as Breyek. “We don’t know who will govern the country now but Libyans must act with one hand. No one should rule just the east or the west.”

An Interior Ministry building in central Tobruk was burned out and on its wall was scrawled “Down with American spy Gadhafi.” Charred shells of 15 vehicles were in its courtyard.
“All these were paid for with money stolen from the people and were used to oppress the people,” said a young man who identified himself only as Mustafa.
“We will go from here to Tripoli to fight if it is necessary” said Fathi Ashour, a young student in the group.

An elderly man in traditional clothes, his head covered wrapped in a scarf with a long brown robe, said: “The people will control all of Libya. Gadhafi made no good for the young, changed nothing. He cannot control the Libyan people. We insist on the end of the regime … My life is done, but we did this for the young. They need a future.”

Ali, who declined to give his full name, said: “I am a revolutionary … The Libyan people have been hurt too much. The people woke up on Feb. 17 … There is not really an army in Libya, you should know that, just a few people to protect the regime for Gadhafi and his sons.”

Ali, who was in the navy for 25 years ago and who is now a tourist guide, said: “There was one of his security camps here in Tobruk. The resistance took control of the police station here and held it. After we took weapons from these people and brought safety to our city.”

“The army is with us. There is not any Al-Qaeda here, the people from some TV talked about Al-Qaeda taking over. But there is no Al-Qaeda. Some people from the [longtime anti-Gadhafi] rebels are supporting us from outside Benghazi but we don’t want their help. They can stay where they are.”

Ali accused the Libyan leader of squandering money abroad.
“Gadhafi paid too much of our money for Africa. We like to spend our money on something useful, not rebellions in Uganda, Burkina Faso, Chad. People here are very poor.”