Gadhafi Troops Open Fire; Libya Toll Hits 200

Protesters were at funeral for slain compatriots
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 20, 2011 7:18 AM CST
Gadhafi Troops Open Fire; Libya Toll Hits 200
Protestors waving Libyan flags gather in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, call for the ouster of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.   (Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Moammar Gadhafi's forces have opened fire on mourners at the funeral for anti-government protesters in the city of Benghazi, where a doctor says at least 200 people have already been slain in days of demonstrations. A man shot in the leg today said marchers were bearing coffins to a cemetery when they passed a Gadhafi compound . The man said security forces fired in the air and then opened up on the crowd. A hospital official says four people have been wounded, two seriously.

The Benghazi doctor said his hospital, one of two in Libya's second-largest city, is out of supplies and cannot treat more than 70 wounded who were hit in the attacks and need attention. "I am crying," the doctor said. "Why is the world not listening?" The latest violence follows a day of brutal violence yesterday. Witnesses told the AP that a mix of special commandos, foreign mercenaries, and Gadhafi loyalists assaulted demonstrators with knives, assault rifles and heavy weapons. Those protesters also were at a funeral. (More Moammar Gadhafi stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X