LIBYA: Intense fighting continues as rebel fighters took over the southern neighbourhood of Abu Salim in the heart of Tripoli

Record ID: 375159

  • Title: LIBYA: Intense fighting continues as rebel fighters took over the southern neighbourhood of Abu Salim in the heart of Tripoli
  • Date: 15th October 2011
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (OCTOBER 14, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NTC FIGHTERS IN STREET/AUDIO OF GUNFIRE NTC FIGHTERS KNEELING BY FENCE FIGHTERS RUNNING DOWN ROAD FIGHTERS RUNNING INTO DOORWAY PICK-UP TRUCK CARRYING FIGHTER AND ARTILLERY GUN RACING AROUND CORNER FIGHTERS STANDING BY BUILDING RESIDENTS LOOKING OUT OF WINDOW ABOVE FIGHTERS WIDE SHOT OF NTC FIGHTERS GATHERING
  • Embargoed: 30th October 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7KYLES8HFPJ8LF23YNN0M4H84
  • Story Text: Gunfights broke out in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Friday (October 14) between dozens of supporters of deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi and forces of the new government.
    It was the first sign of armed resistance to the NTC in the city since its rebel brigades seized the capital and ended 42 years of one-man rule in August.
    Though the battles were small and casualties seemed light, it raised concerns the interim government could face an insurgency by Gaddafi loyalists.
    Hundreds of National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters in pick-up trucks shouting "Allahu Akbar" careered towards the Abu Salim neighbourhood, a centre of support for Gaddafi and the two sides exchanged automatic and heavy machine-gun fire.
    Local people told a Reuters correspondent at the scene that a group of up to 50 armed men had appeared in Abu Salim earlier in the day and had chanted pro-Gaddafi slogans. NTC men said fighting also broke out in three other nearby neighbourhoods.
    One NTC fighter said Gaddafi told his supporters in a message on Thursday night (October 13) to rise up after Friday prayers. The former leader has released a number of audio recordings calling on loyalists to fight back. Four pro-Gaddafi gunmen were also captured in the Abu Salim neighbourhood, NTC commanders said. Dominated by apartment blocks, it was one of the places last to fall to the new government when it took the city after six months of civil war.
    The NTC fighters were met by volleys of machine-gun fire as they went from house to house searching for remaining Gaddafi gunmen. Shooting died down later in the afternoon.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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