Protests in Libya: 28 dead, 60 wounded

................... Protests in Libya: 28 dead, 60 wounded Protests in Libya: 28 dead, 60 wounded Photo: AFP At least 28 people were killed and 60 were wounded on Saturday when demonstrators attacked the headquarters in Benghazi of former rebels who had fought to oust Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi, a hospital official said. Fighting erupted after dozens of demonstrators, some of them armed, tried to dislodge the powerful "Shield of Libya" brigade from its barracks in Benghazi. They encircled the headquarters and called on regular security forces to step in. Libya's post-Gaddafi authorities, who have still not managed to form a professional new army and police corps, often call on the "Shield of Libya" to intervene in the various tribal conflicts that trouble the country. 25 reported killed in anti-militia clashes in Benghazi At least 25 people have been killed and 90 more wounded in clashes Saturday between protesters and a Libyan militia, reported Al Arabiya's correspondent. Reuters quoted a doctor on the ground as saying that the Libya militia was operating with Defense Ministry approval in the eastern city of Benghazi. According to Reuters, residents said dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the headquarters of the Libya Shield brigade demanding the disbanding of militias. “A group of protesters started protesting against the presence of militias. They were calling for the disbanding of groups to rebuild the army,” a Benghazi resident told Reuters. “As I was leaving, I saw protesters throwing stones and the other side fired back.” A spokesman for the security operations room in Benghazi told Reuters: “Initial reports say 18 people were injured and two were killed. No military action has been taken as of yet. We are waiting for elders to intervene.” Ahmed Belashahr, a local activist, told Reuters: “People protested because they believe militias go against Libya’s stability, which can only be achieved through a proper army and police.” Libya’s new rulers are still struggling to impose their authority on a myriad of armed groups who often take the law into their own hands, Reuters said. 11 dead, 58 wounded in Benghazi in eastern Libya At least 11 people have died in Benghazi in eastern Libya, in clashes that erupted during protests outside a militia headquarters, the army says. As many as 58 people were also wounded in the violence, a spokesman said. Demonstrators had gathered outside the headquarters of the Libya Shield brigade demanding the disbanding of militias, residents say. Since Col Gaddafi's death in 2011, the government has been trying to tackle the presence of armed militias. The Libya Shield brigade, which played a role in the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi, has so far refused to lay down its weapons. The militia say they are operating with defence ministry approval. One witness said he had seen around 200 protesters from an area to the east of Benghazi. While most of them were unarmed, a few had AK-47 rifles, he said. "When I was there I didn't see any of the people use them. " The demonstrators were demanding the brigade leave its premises, army spokesman Abdallah Al-Shaafi told the BBC. "There is a special force now that will be deployed," he adds. Voice of Russia, Al Arabiya, BBC Read more: http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_06_09/Protests-in-Libya-28-dead-60-wounded-3803/ GIVE YOUR OPINIONS HERE