At least 200 people were killed during a crackdown by the Gaddafi regime this week.
Members of the Libyan military defected today and liberated the people of Benghazi.
SKY News reported:
Members of a Libyan army unit have told Benghazi residents they have defected and “liberated” the city from pro-Gaddafi forces.
Speaking from Benghazi, a local man named Benali, told Sky News that members of the Libya’s armed forces have defected and that anti-regime protesters are now in control of the city.
Habib al-Obaidi, who heads the intensive care unit at the main Al-Jalae hospital, appeared to confirm the reports, saying the “Thunderbolt” squad arrived at the hospital with soldiers who had been injured in clashes with Gaddafi’s men.
“They are now saying that they have overpowered the Praetorian Guard and that they have joined the people’s revolt,” said Mr al-Obaidi.
More… Protests spread to Tripoli today for the first time.
The Guardian reported:
Libya is defying international condemnation of a bloody crackdown that saw troops and mercenaries shooting unarmed demonstrators as the crisis spread to Tripoli and the death toll rose to more than 200.
The most violent scenes so far of the wave of protests sweeping the Arab world were seen in its most repressive country, as Muammar Gaddafi resorted to force to crush what began last week as peaceful protests but may now threaten his 41-year rule.
BBC Arabic reported clashes involving automatic gunfire and teargas in the capital for the first time since unrest began. A promised address by Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s son, on state TV failed to materialise.
