Global General

Anti-government protests erupt in Libya

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-16 19:06

TRIPOLI - Protesters clashed with the police and government supporters in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Wednesday, according to Al-Jazeera TV.

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Demonstrators gathered in the wee hours of the morning in front of police headquarters and chanted slogans against the "corrupt rulers of the country."

As many as 14 people were injured in the clashes, including three demonstrators and 10 security officials, reported Libya's Quryna newspaper.

Anti-government protesters have also called on citizens to observe Thursday as a "Day of Rage."

They hope to emulate recent popular protests in Tunisia and Egypt to end Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year old rule.

The country's official news agency made no mention of the protests, saying only supporters of Gaddafi were demonstrating in the capital Tripoli, in Benghazi and in other cities.