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Deadly car bombing hits Libya's volatile Benghazi

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 12:45

A powerful car bomb exploded Monday near a hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazi, killing and wounding dozens in what officials said was the first such attack on civilians since Moamer Kadhafi's ouster. Officials gave contradicting death tolls, however, as information trickled in about the devastating bombing which destroyed a restaurant and damaged cars and buildings near Al-Jala hospital in the centre of Benghazi.

US moves troops closer as security worsens in Libya

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 12:45

The United States has moved military forces closer to Libya since the Benghazi attack so they will be ready to respond to threats against diplomatic personnel, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday. "We are prepared to respond if necessary, if conditions deteriorate or if we were called upon," spokesman George Little told reporters. "Obviously we have moved assets and personnel," he said, without offering specifics.

Benghazi car bomb kills 15: deputy minister

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 11:02

A car bomb exploded near a hospital in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Monday, killing at least 15 people, wounding dozens more and destroying a restaurant, a top official said. Deputy Interior Minister Abdullah Massoud said it was only a "preliminary toll" and that the blast caused massive damage in the area of Al-Jala hospital. A security official had earlier said the blast ripped through the hospital car park. "Fifteen people have been killed and at least 30 were wounded in the explosion of a car bomb near the hospital," the deputy minister said.

BP pulls some staff from Libya amid security concerns

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 10:15

Oil giant BP said Sunday it had pulled some non-essential overseas staff out of Libya because of concerns about the political situation, following the lead of the US and British embassies. In a statement, BP said the decision to withdraw fewer than a dozen people was a "precautionary measure" following advice from the Foreign Office (FCO). Tensions have risen in Libya since ex-rebels besieged two ministries at the end of last month in a row over a law to ban officials who served under slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi from holding office.

Libya crisis deepens as rebel groups expand demands

Thomson ReutersMay 11, 2013 18:45

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's political crisis deepened on Wednesday as armed groups surrounding two ministries in the capital said they had formed an alliance to present an expanded list of six demands that included the resignation of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. Zeidan, for his part, promised the government would stick to plans to bar anyone who held a senior position under late dictator Muammar Gaddafi and said some ministers would have to be replaced under legislation passed on Sunday.

Two police stations in Libya's Benghazi bombed

Agence France-PresseMay 11, 2013 18:17

Bomb attacks targeted two police stations in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Friday, causing extensive material damage but no casualties, a security official said. "Unknown individuals threw explosive devices at the police stations in Ras Obeida and Al-Madina," the official told AFP. The attacks damaged the police stations and several cars parked nearby, he said.

Former US official in Tripoli describes confusion, call with Clinton during Benghazi attack

The Canadian PressMay 9, 2013 02:45

WASHINGTON - A former top diplomat in Libya on Wednesday delivered a riveting minute-by-minute account of the chaotic events during the deadly assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi last September, with a 2 a.m. call from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and confusion about the fate of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Libya militias pull guns from ministries, press protest

Agence France-PresseMay 8, 2013 14:20

Libyan militiamen withdrew their machinegun mounted pick-up trucks from outside two ministries on Wednesday, but pressed their protests for more concessions from the government, an AFP journalist reported. They had surrounded the foreign ministry on April 28 and the justice ministry two days later to demand a law barring former officials from the ousted regime of Moamer Kadhafi from government posts. The law was passed by the general National Congress on Sunday.

Libya minister rescinds resignation amid political crisis

Agence France-PresseMay 7, 2013 11:43

Libya's defence minister resigned on Tuesday but then changed his mind and the army chief of staff was sacked, as a political crisis deepened over gunmen besieging government ministries. "I find myself compelled, despite opposition from my colleagues in recent days, to present (my resignation) voluntarily and without hesitation," Barghathi said, quoted by the official Lana news agency. "I cannot accept the policy of force used by armed groups in our new state," he added.

Libya defence minister withdraws resignation

Agence France-PresseMay 7, 2013 11:42

Libyan Defence Minister Mohammed al-Barghati resigned on Tuesday, but rescinded his decision several hours later at the request of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, the government said. "The chief of the government asked the defence minister to rescind (his decision) and the minister said he understands, given the circumstances the country is going through, that he should continue in office," a statement said.