Stig Östlund

onsdag, februari 23, 2011

Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli

CAIRO — Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli as forces loyal to Moammar Khadafy tightened their grip on the Libyan capital while anti-government protesters claimed control of many cities elsewhere and top government officials and diplomats turn against the longtime leader.

While residents of cities in the eastern half of the country celebrated, raising the flags of the old monarchy, the mood in Tripoli was bleak. Residents were afraid to leave their houses, saying pro-Khadafy forces were opening fire randomly in the streets.

International outrage mounted a day after Khadafy vowed to defend his rule and called on supporters to crack down on anti-government protesters. Khadafy's retaliation has already been the harshest in the Arab world to the wave of anti-government protests sweeping the Middle East.

NEW YORK POST

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