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Libyan interior minister submits resignation -official sources

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:36:06 +0300

TRIPOLI, May 21 (Reuters) - Libya's interior minister hassubmitted his resignation, two official sources said on Tuesday,after months of efforts to curb armed groups who helped toppleMuammar Gaddafi but have since stalled the transition todemocracy. Two years after the popular uprising that ended Gaddafi's42-year rule, the Tripoli government still exerts little controlover brigades of former fighters in the oil-producing countrywho often take the law into their own hands. ...

Obama to discuss al Qaeda, drones, Guantanamo Bay in Thursday speech

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:44:20 +0300

By Steve Holland ATLANTA, May 19 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, underfire for security lapses at a U.S. mission in Libya, will in aspeech on Thursday lay out his wide-ranging counter-terrorismpolicy, from the controversial use of drones to efforts to closethe U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Obama's use of military drone aircraft to attack extremistshas drawn fire and increased tensions in countries like Pakistanand been criticized by human rights activists in the UnitedStates. ...

Man killed in attack on police station in Libya's Benghazi

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:29:16 +0300

(Adds quote, detail) BENGHAZI, Libya, May 15 (Reuters) - A man was killed in anovernight attack on police in Libya's eastern city of Benghaziand their station was later set on fire in a possible act ofrevenge for the killing, police sources said on Wednesday. The army deployed additional forces to Benghazi after a carloaded with explosives blew up near a hospital on Monday,killing three people. Police sources said the man lived in the neighbourhood andwas involved in the assault, but local residents said he was aninnocent bystander caught in the crossfire. ...

One killed in attack on police station in Libya's Benghazi -sources

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:40:57 +0300

BENGHAZI, May 15 (Reuters) - One person was killed in anovernight attack on a police station in Libya's eastern city ofBenghazi, police sources said, and the building was set on firein another attack on Wednesday. The dead man was one of the attackers in the overnight raid,the police sources said. They said they believed the fire hadbeen started as an act of revenge by his relatives. (Reporting by Feras Bosalum; Writing by Jessica Donati; Editingby Pravin Char)

Deadly car bombing hits Libya's volatile Benghazi

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:25:58 +0300

A deadly car bombing in the Libyan city of Benghazi has unleashed international condemnation and highlighted the insecurity still ravaging the city which was the cradle of the uprising against late dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Car bomb kills three outside hospital in Libya's Benghazi

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:05:24 +0300

(Adds prime minister's comments and more context) By Feras Bosalum BENGHAZI, May 13 (Reuters) - A car bomb killed at leastthree people outside a hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazion Monday, doctors said, in a further sign of the growingdisorder that threatens to unhinge an already creakingtransition to lawful, democratic rule. Hundreds of angry people gathered at the scene, blaming thearmed militias that hold sway on the streets, and calling forthem to be driven from Benghazi, cradle of the uprising thatended Muammar Gaddafi's dictatorship in 2011. ...

Car bomb in Libya's Benghazi kills at least 3, wounds 17 - doctor

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:39:54 +0300

BENGHAZI, Libya, May 13 (Reuters) - At least 3 people werekilled and 17 wounded on Monday when a car bomb exploded outsidea hospital in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi, a doctor at thehospital said. A second doctor said only one of the bodies had arrivedintact, making it difficult to immediately establish the numberkilled. (Reporting by Feras Bosalum and Ghaith Shennib; Writing byJessica Donati; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

Car bomb explodes outside hospital in Libya's Benghazi

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:06:23 +0300

TRIPOLI, May 13 (Reuters) - A car bomb exploded outside ahospital in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi on Monday, awitness said, striking a crowded area in the middle of the day. "I saw people running and some of them were collecting partsof bodies," the witness said. (Reporting by Ghaith Shennib; Writing by Jessica Donati;Editing by Janet Lawrence)

Benghazi police bombed for second time in three days

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:41:00 +0300

(Adds quote from council and more context) BENGHAZI, May 12 (Reuters) - Two more police stations wereattacked in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi in the early hoursof Sunday morning, the local council said, after two others werebombed on Friday. The attacks are the latest signs of insecurity in Libya'ssecond city, birthplace of the uprising that toppled thedictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Nearly two years after his fall, rebel groups that helped tooverthrow him are still refusing to disband and remain a morevisible presence on the streets than the state security forces. ...

Libya's Benghazi police bombed again after Friday's attack

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:25:36 +0300

TRIPOLI, May 12 (Reuters) - Two more police stations wereattacked in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi in the early hoursof Sunday morning, the local council said, after two others werebombed on Friday. The attacks are the latest signs of insecurity in Libya'ssecond city, birthplace of the uprising that toppled MuammarGaddafi in 2011. The recent violence against diplomats, militaryand police includes an attack in September that killed the U.S.ambassador and three other Americans. (Reporting by Feras Bosalum; Writing by Jessica Donati; Editingby Kevin Liffey)

Libya gunmen lift ministries siege: minister

Sat, 11 May 2013 23:09:37 +0300

Libyan militiamen besieging the foreign and justice ministries in Tripoli have now withdrawn and handed control of the compounds back to the authorities, Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani said on Saturday.

US, Britain withdraw some staff from Libya

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:17:56 +0300

The United States and Britain both announced they were withdrawing some diplomatic staff from Libya, amid security concerns over a recent flare-up in political unrest there.

Pressure rises on White House over Benghazi talking points

Sat, 11 May 2013 05:00:41 +0300

* ABC report says emails edited to remove al Qaeda threat * White House defends handling of talking points * Democrats say Republican accusations politically motivated (Adds background, paragraphs 6-7) By Jeff Mason and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama'sadministration fought back on Friday against Republicanaccusations that it covered up details of last year's deadlyassault on a U.S. mission in Libya, after a news report thatmemos on the incident were edited to omit a CIA warning of athreat posed by al Qaeda. ...

Pressure rises on White House after Benghazi emails

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:02:06 +0300

* ABC News report says emails were extensively edited * Democrats say Republican charges politically motivated (Recasts with details, quotes) By Paul Eckert and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) - The Obama administrationdenied Republican accusations of a cover-up in last year'sdeadly attack in Libya, moving on Friday to defuse a renewedpolitical controversy after a news report said memos on theincident were edited to omit references to a CIA warning of anal Qaeda threat. ...

Emails show State Department toned down Benghazi memos - ABC report

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:38:02 +0300

WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) - Obama administrationofficials edited memos about last year's killing of the U.S.ambassador in Libya to omit reference to a CIA warning of athreat from al Qaeda, ABC News reported on Friday in a storythat could fuel Republican attempts to prove a cover-up. Emails between the State Department, White House andintelligence agencies show extensive editing by theadministration as it went through 12 different drafts of thememos explaining the Benghazi attack. The so-called "talking point" memos were used to prepareU.S. ...

Britain withdraws some embassy staff from Libya

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:38:53 +0300

Britain is temporarily pulling out some staff from its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli due to security concerns over recent political unrest, the Foreign Office said on Friday.

Tunisia arrests Libyan "terrorist" entering port with explosives

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:25:52 +0300

(Adds Ghannouchi and background) TUNIS, May 9 (Reuters) - Tunisia said on Thursday police hadarrested a Libyan "terrorist" trying to enter asouthern port with explosives, as security forces wage anationwide campaign against militants. "The anti-terrorism task force ... arrested on Wednesday aterrorist Libyan trying to enter with a quantity of explosivesin Port of Ktef in Ben Guardan," the interior ministry said. ...

Gaddafi's ex-spy chief suffers "passive torture" in jail-daughter

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:24:48 +0300

* Says Senussi denied access to lawyer, exercise * No word on when Senussi, held since September, to be tried By Jessica Donati and Ghaith Shennib TRIPOLI, May 9 (Reuters) - A daughter of Muammar Gaddafi'sjailed former intelligence chief accused Libya on Thursday ofdenying him access to a lawyer, family visits and exercise andshe likened his detention to "passive torture". Abdullah al-Senussi was one of the late strongman's mostfeared associates until his 42-year regime was toppled by rebelsin 2011. ...

U.S. diplomat recounts frustration at lack of help during Benghazi attack

Thu, 09 May 2013 03:46:32 +0300

(Updates with quotes, details) * "Greg, we're under attack" * Frantic phone calls * Democrats say attacks being politicized By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - A former U.S. diplomat inLibya gave a dramatic account on Wednesday of the attack on themission in Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador, and toldlawmakers that more could have been done to stop the assault bysuspected Islamist militants. Gregory Hicks, the second in command at the U.S. Embassy inLibya at the time, expressed his frustration in an emotionallycharged congressional hearing that a U.S. ...

U.S. diplomat recounts lack of response to deadly Benghazi attack

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:36:33 +0300

(Updates with hearing testimony and questioning) By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - A former U.S. diplomat inLibya told lawmakers on Wednesday more could have been done toprevent last year's deadly assault on the U.S. mission inBenghazi in which the U.S. ambassador was killed. In a congressional hearing marked by emotional testimony andangry charges of political partisanship, Gregory Hicks, deputychief of mission in Libya at the time of last year's attack,became the first U.S. official on the ground in Libya during theattacks to testify publicly. ...

Influential Muslim cleric visits Hamas-ruled Gaza

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:59:18 +0300

By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA, May 8 (Reuters) - Leading Muslim cleric Sheikh Youssefal-Qaradawi paid a high-profile visit to Gaza on Thursday,giving a boost to the Islamist group Hamas that runs theenclave, but also laying bare Palestinian rivalries. Qaradawi, chairman of the International Federation of MuslimClerics, is based in Qatar and has been a vociferous supporterof the revolutions that have shaken the Arab world in the lasttwo years, bringing new governments to Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. ...

Hague court probing Libyan war crimes despite fight over trials

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:49:50 +0300

* Decision on trials for Gaddafi son, spy chief due soon * Libya wants pair tried in the North African state * International court looking at pursuing a new Libya case By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (Reuters) - The International CriminalCourt is still investigating war crimes in Libya despite a clashwith the country's government over who has the right to tryformer leader Muammar Gaddafi's son and his spy chief, thecourt's prosecutor said on Wednesday. ...

US diplomat cites Benghazi security deficiencies

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:31:48 +0300

A career diplomat told Congress on Wednesday that the US mission in Benghazi in Libya had failed to meet crucial security standards, a deficiency that may have contributed to American deaths last year.

Libya to reshuffle govt within days: PM

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:51:35 +0300

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan on Wednesday announced a cabinet reshuffle "in coming days", against the backdrop of a political crisis sparked by gunmen having laid siege to two ministries.

U.S. diplomatic security back in focus at Benghazi hearing

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:59:58 +0300

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - A former U.S. diplomat inLibya who says more could have been done to protect Americans atthe U.S. mission in Benghazi when it was attacked last Septemberwill be a featured witness on Wednesday during a congressionalhearing. Gregory Hicks, deputy chief of mission in Libya at the timeof the attack, will be one of three witnesses at the hearingbefore the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight &Government Reform. ...

Obama defends approach to determining if Syria used chemical arms

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:15:29 +0300

WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama onTuesday defended his deliberate approach to determining whetherSyria used chemical weapons and pointed to the fates of Osamabin Laden and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as evidence that "wetypically follow through on our commitments." Obama has drawn some fire for going it slow on Syria amidlarge casualties there in the country's two-year civil war. At anews conference with visiting South Korean President ParkGeun-hye, however, he pushed back against the criticism. ...

Libya defence minister 'resigns' amid siege crisis

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:21:36 +0300

Libya's Defence Minister Mohammed al-Barghathi resigned on Tuesday due to a crisis caused by gunmen who have besieged two ministries for more than a week, a ministry official said.

Libya gunmen besieging ministries demand govt quits

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:25:04 +0300

Gunmen on Monday demanded the Libyan government's resignation as they besieged ministries despite the adoption of a law to purge officials from the regime of dead dictator Moamer Kadhafi from their posts.

Libya adopts law barring Kadhafi-era officials

Sun, 05 May 2013 20:37:24 +0300

Libya's General National Congress, under pressure from militiamen, on Sunday voted through a controversial law to exclude former regime officials from government posts, a move that could see the premier removed from office.

Gunmen in standoff with Libyan army at Tripoli protest

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:31:17 +0300

(Adds protest, scuffles, quotes, details throughout) By Jessica Donati and Ghaith Shennib TRIPOLI, May 3 (Reuters) - The Libyan army was deployed toTripoli's main square on Friday to guard a pro-government rallyand became involved in an uneasy standoff with anti-governmentgunmen. The pro-government protesters were rallying against groupsof gunmen who have taken control of two ministries in thecapital. "We are here to support the government and ask the primeminister to deploy the police and the army. ...

FBI releases photos of three men from Benghazi attack site

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:08:41 +0300

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - The FBI on Thursday releasedthe photographs of three men it said were at the U.S. diplomaticmission in Benghazi, Libya, when it was attacked last September. The FBI did not call the three men suspects in the attacks,saying only that they "may be able to provide information tohelp in the investigation." "The FBI is now asking Libyans and people around the worldfor additional information related to the attacks," the U.S.investigative agency said in a statement with the photographs. Four Americans including U.S. ...

Libya gunmen reject govt demand to end sieges

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:45:22 +0300

Libyan gunmen besieging two ministries have rejected government demands to disband saying they are determined to stay put until authorities agree to their demand and sack former regime officials, one of them said on Thursday.

US releases pictures related to Benghazi attack

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:47:42 +0300

US authorities on Wednesday released pictures of three men it said were present during the September 11, 2012 attack on the US mission in eastern Libya, saying it wanted to question them.

Libya gunmen press siege of ministries

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:58:19 +0300

#Gunmen demanding the sacking of former officials from the ousted regime of Moamer Kadhafi were on Wednesday still surrounding the foreign and justice ministries in the Libyan capital.

Kerry pledges to answer Benghazi questions, laments 'misinformation"

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:47:03 +0300

WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of StateJohn Kerry on Tuesday pledged full cooperation with lawmakers'queries into last year's assault on the U.S. mission inBenghazi, Libya, while his spokesman dismissed reports thatwhistleblowers faced retaliation. "We're prepared to work openly and accountably to answer anyof those questions," Kerry told reporters. "I'm determined that this will be an accountable and openState Department as it has been in the past and we will continueto provide answers," he said. The assault on the U.S. mission in Benghazi last Sept. 11,in which U.S. ...

Armed men surround another Libya ministry: official

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:54:00 +0300

Gunmen demanding the expulsion of officials from the ousted Moamer Kadhafi regime surrounded the justice ministry on Tuesday, stepping up an action started at the foreign ministry, an official said.

Gunmen keep Libyan foreign ministry under siege

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:35:52 +0300

Dozens of gunmen kept Libya's foreign ministry under siege for a second straight day on Monday demanding it sack officials from the previous regime of Moamer Kadhafi, an AFP correspondent said.

Gunmen surround foreign ministry in Libya capital

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:25:55 +0300

Gunmen surrounded Libya's foreign ministry demanding it be "cleansed of agents" of ousted dictator Moamer Kadhafi, AFP correspondents said, as Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said the interior ministry was also attacked.

Gunmen surround Libyan foreign ministry to push demands

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:08:02 +0300

* Gunmen say will shut ministry until measure passed * Law banning Gaddafi-era figures being discussed * Security fears increase after French embassy bombed * German embassy restricts work in Tripoli (Adds German embassy comment) By Ghaith Shennib and Jessica Donati TRIPOLI, April 28 (Reuters) - Gunmen surrounded Libya'sForeign Ministry on Sunday, calling for a ban on officials whoworked for deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi holding seniorpositions in the new administration. ...

Kadhafi family in Oman to stay out of politics: Libya

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:38:03 +0300

Oman has reassured Libya that members of killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi's family who are staying in the sultanate will not interfere in Libyan politics, Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdelaziz told AFP on Sunday.