Attacks on Western targets in Libya sow fears of Islamist extremists
Source: Washington Post
TRIPOLI, Libya A recent string of attacks on Western diplomats and international organizations has sparked fears that extremists are trying to destabilize Libyas first post-revolution national elections. The attacks included a bombing last week outside the U.S. Consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi and a rocket-propelled grenade attack there on a convoy carrying the British ambassador, which injured two bodyguards.
Explosions have also targeted offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross and a U.N. vehicle, as well as British Embassy cars visiting the southern city of Sabha last week.
A Libyan group called the Brigades of the Imprisoned Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman has asserted responsibility for some of the attacks. It is not clear whether all the attacks are linked or whether elements from outside Libya are involved, though experts say those responsible are probably Libyans. Abdel Rahman, known as the blind sheik, is an Egyptian Muslim cleric who is serving a life sentence in the United States on conspiracy charges that grew out of an investigation into the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The violence comes just weeks before Libyans vote for a national assembly that will in turn choose an interim government and a slate of people to write the countrys constitution. The polling date was recently pushed back to July 7.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/attacks-on-western-targets-in-libya-sow-fears-islamist-extremists-want-to-disrupt-vote/2012/06/15/gJQAx8kWeV_story.html
Well, this is a surprise.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)Alamuti Lotus
(3,093 posts)by those anti-interventionist, Green Book-waving WaPo writers.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)I lived in Tripoli for 5 years as a child in the years before Gaddafi. We loved it. The people were generally gracious and helpful. We really did not experience anti-western sentiment. That said a lot has happened since.
I really hope they can shape a modern nation out of the rubble of Gaddafi and his sons. The reality is Islamists that are beholden to rigid Islam will always seek to undermine those efforts. They prefer a theocracy based on Sharia law.
Wish them luck!!!
may3rd
(593 posts)Ghadaffy ruled with a kinder,gentler iron fist.
The next regime will have to also
...unless they are OK with secession
IamK
(956 posts)may3rd
(593 posts)Let freedom ring
Jordanians protest over rising prices, lack of reforms
Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets on Friday calling for the government to resign over rising fuel prices and delays in introducing democratic reforms.
In a rare show of unity, Islamists, liberals, nationalists and youth activists demonstrated in eight of Jordans 12 provinces
.....
http://www.yalibnan.com/2012/06/16/jordanians-protest-over-rising-prices-lack-of-reforms/