LIBYA: A delegation from the interim Ministry of Defence visits injured fighters including mercenaries who supported Muammar Gaddafi as they receive treatment in a Tripoli hospital

Record ID: 863526

  • Title: LIBYA: A delegation from the interim Ministry of Defence visits injured fighters including mercenaries who supported Muammar Gaddafi as they receive treatment in a Tripoli hospital
  • Date: 23rd September 2011
  • Summary: FAMILY WITH GIRL INJURED FROM FIGHTING
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • City:
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAD3UYN5CE2DCDNQK9KI1ARZGOZ
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Injured fighters from both sides of the battle in Libya were visited by a delegation representing the interim government's Ministry of Defence on Thursday (September 22).
    Ahmed Bani, military spokesman for Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), visited the Central Tripoli Hospital where medical staff are treating fighters who are loyal to the interim government as well as those who have fought for Muammar Gaddafi.
    Bani told one fighter whose arm was in a cast that he hoped he would get well soon so that he may have his gun returned to him.
    As he made his rounds through the wards, Bani offered affection and words of encouragement to the injured fighters.
    "At this time, we want our fighters to feel that we are very close to them. We care about them. We now at the NTC and the Ministry of Defence are trying our best to find a solution for these health difficulties. Those are our fighters who sacrificed themselves to raise our independence flag at the United Nations," Bani said.
    The interim government has been criticised in recent days over the poor medical treatment fighters have received, with many forced to go outside Libya for treatment.
    Small demonstrations have been held in the capital, including one that followed a news conference hosted by Bani himself.
    But Bani said the interim leaders were trying to find a solution and treat fighters from both sides of the conflict equally.
    "Whoever we capture who are injured will be dealt with the same as anyone wounded in Libya. You can see that they are sharing the beds with our fighters and they are getting the same treatment," he said.
    The spokesman for ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Moussa Ibrahim, told Reuters on Thursday that NATO air strikes and the shelling of Sirte by interim government forces in the past 48 hours have killed 151 people.
    He also said the city's main hospital had run out of medical supplies and power.
    His claims could not immediately be verified as Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, is largely cut off from communication and is besieged on three fronts by ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) forces.
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