Libyan city dubbed 'Free Benghazi' as anti-Gaddafi troops take control

[n2doc]

Martin Chulov in Benghazi
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 23 February 2011 14.08 GMT


Libyans stand on an army tank at the state security camp in Benghazi, Libya. the city is now controlled by anti-Gaddafi troops Photograph: Alaguri/AP
Libya's second city, Benghazi, appears to have fallen beyond the control of Muammar Gaddafi, with the local military defying his regime and monarchy-era flags flying from government buildings.

As the first foreign news organisation to report from so-called Free Benghazi, the Guardian witnessed defecting troops pouring into the courtyard of a ransacked police station carrying tonnes of weaponry and ammunition looted from a military armoury to stop it being seized by forces loyal to the Libyan dictator.

Soldiers brought rockets and heavy weapons which had been used in an assault on citizens in central Benghazi on Saturday as Gaddafi tried to keep control of the city. Doctors in Benghazi said that at least 230 people were killed, with a further 30 critically injured.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/23/libya-free-benghazi-anti-gaddafi-troops