THE GUARDIAN: Libyan protesters seeking to oust longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi defied a crackdown and took to the streets in four cities Thursday on what activists have dubbed a "day of rage," amid reports that at least 14 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with pro-government groups.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said Libyan internal security forces also have arrested at least 14 people. Hundreds of pro-government demonstrators also rallied in the capital, Tripoli, blocking traffic in some areas, witnesses said.
An opposition website and an anti-Gadhafi activist said unrest broke out during marches in four Libyan cities Thursday. Organizers were using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to call for nationwide demonstrations.
"Today the Libyans broke the barrier or fear, it is a new dawn," said Faiz Jibril, an opposition leader in exile.
Opposition website Libya Al-Youm said four protesters were slain by snipers from the Internal Security Forces in the eastern city of Beyida, which had protests Wednesday and Thursday. It's not clear when the protesters were killed. The website also said there was a demonstration Thursday in Benghazi, Libya's second-Largest [sic] city.
Switzerland-based Libyan activist Fathi al-Warfali said 11 protesters were killed in Beyida on Wednesday night, and scores were wounded. He said the government dispatched Army commandos to quell the uprising. >>> Salah Nasrawi | AP foreign | Thursday, February 17, 2011
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Berichte über Tote bei Protesten in Libyen: Bei Zusammenstößen zwischen Gaddafi-Gegnern und der Polizei sollen bislang sieben Menschen getötet worden sein. Die Proteste konzentrierten sich bislang auf die Städte im Nordosten Libyens. Oppositionelle haben zu einem „Tag des Zorns“ aufgerufen. >>> dpa | Donnerstag, 17. Februar 2011
