Gunmen Storm Libya Parliament

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Around 200 gunmen have stormed and occupied Libya’s parliament, according to media reports.

According to the latest reports, the gunmen broke through security forces late Wednesday to gain access to the parliament. Local reports say the gunmen are backed by additional forces surrounding the parliament, with around a dozen trucks with anti-aircraft guns patrolling nearby streets and blocking traffic.

PanArmenian News reports, “Some of the gunmen were dressed in scruffy army fatigues and others in civilian clothes. Some are from the western city of Misrata and others are from Tripoli, and few are willing to talk to the media.”

Libya
Libya

The gunmen stormed parliament following protests against the announcement of the government’s formation of a new government.

According to the AP, the gunmen say the 30-member Cabinet includes former members of Moammar Gadhafi’s deposed regime. They want the Cabinet to undergo screening by a state body that would bar such people from government jobs.

Ironically, The Tripoli Post reports that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Mr. Tarek Mitri, has welcomed the formation of the new Libyan Government, and extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and members of his Cabinet.

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