Massacre in Libya + Khaled Mattawa: Libya is Forever Changed

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Democracy Now!
Feb. 21, 2011

Massacre in Libya: Witnesses Say Protesters Have Taken Control of Benghazi Despite Gov’t Violence

After a week of deadly unrest in the North African country of Libya, tens of thousands of people celebrated Sunday as they retook the streets of the eastern city of Benghazi. Residents say some soldiers joined the protesters and defeated a force of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s elite guard. Others say the military has left the city. This comes after days of brutal violence. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 300 people have been killed in Libya this week. Clashes have reportedly reached the capital city of Tripoli. For more on the situation in Benghazi, we spoke by phone to a protester named Haithem last night.[includes rush transcript]

via Massacre in Libya: Witnesses Say Protesters Have Taken Control of Benghazi Despite Gov’t Violence

Massacre in Libya: Witnesses Say Protesters Have Taken Control of Benghazi Despite Gov’t Violence

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“Libya is Forever Changed by These Events”: Libyan Poet and Scholar Khaled Mattawa on the Pro-Democracy Movement Amid Government Violence

After a week of pro-democracy demonstrations in Libya that left more than 300 people dead, protesters have continued to demand an end to the 42-year regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. One of Gaddafi’s sons, Seif Islam Gaddafi, addressed the nation over Libyan State TV on Sunday, and threatened there would be civil war if the protests did not end. For more we are joined by the acclaimed Libyan poet and scholar, Khaled Mattawa. “I think the regime is over even if Gaddafi manages to survive,” Mattawa says. “Libyans are saying, ‘Yes we will have a new constitution, perhaps we will have a new flag. But we do not want you or your father or the rest of your plan, so get out of here.” [includes rush transcript]

via “Libya is Forever Changed by These Events”: Libyan Poet and Scholar Khaled Mattawa on the Pro-Democracy Movement Amid Government Violence

“Libya is Forever Changed by These Events”: Libyan Poet and Scholar Khaled Mattawa on the Pro-Democracy Movement Amid Government Violence

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Emigrants from Libya leave “with only their clothes”

AlJazeeraEnglish | February 21, 2011

Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri reports from the Tunisian side of the border with Libya, where those leaving the upheaval are having their possessions confiscated.

It remains too dangerous for Al Jazeera to enter Libya, Moshiri has reported, and our reporters are waiting for visas and permission to film.

see

“Non-stop” gunfire in Libya’s capital + Protests, “riots” and shooting in Tripoli

more videos:

http://vodpod.com/dandelionsalad/tag/libya