Libya: Fires In Tripoli; Muslim Leaders Appeal For Calm
By MISNA
State TV buildings and some People’s Committees offices, which represent the Libyan regime, were ransacked and set on fire today in the capital of Tripoli by angry protesters, reports the international media. The so-called “People’s Hall” in parliament was torched.
“Stop the massacre now,” some 50 Libyan Muslim leaders said in a joint statement addressed to security forces, who violently repressed protests over the past days.
“This is an urgent appeal from religious scholars (faqihs and Sufi sheikhs), intellectuals, and clan elders from Tripoli, Bani Walid, Zintan, Jadu, Msalata, Misrata, Zawiah, and other towns and villages of the western area,” said the appeal.
“We appeal to every Muslim, within the regime or assisting it in any way, to recognize that the killing of innocent human beings is forbidden by our Creator and by His beloved Prophet of Compassion. Do not kill your brothers and sisters”.
Tolls indicating hundreds of victims continue being updated on the social networks by Libyan figures abroad, though no independent confirmation has been possible so far. Citing apparent medical sources in Bengasi, some bloggers are even reporting up to 500 dead in the city, now apparently under control of anti-government movements.
Some media sources are also reporting some sixty dead “in the past hours” in Tripoli.
Explosions were reported at oil installations, as the crisis is also causing oil prices to rise in the international markets. Phone lines have been down for hours in the country.
The European Union is planning the evacuation of its nationals and urged no travel to Libya.
