Mr007 Sun 27 Feb 2011, 12:53 pmThe 2011 Libyan uprising began as a series of protests and confrontations occurring in the North African state of Libya against the government and its leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The social unrest began on 15 February 2011 and has since become a widespread uprising that continues to the present. Inspiration for the unrest is attributed to the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, connecting it with the wider 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests.[12] According to Richard Engel, NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent, who entered Libya and had reached the city of Tobruk on 22 February, "the protest movement is no longer a protest movement, it's a war. It's open revolt."[13] On 22 February, The Economist described the events as an "uprising that is trying to reclaim Libya from the world's longest-ruling autocrat."[14] Gaddafi blamed the uprising on al-Qaeda and "drugged kids".[15]
Protests centred on Libya's two largest cities, the capital of Tripoli in the west and Benghazi in the east, and spread to other cities. On 18 February, demonstrators took control over most of Benghazi, with some support from police and defecting military units. The government reacted by sending elite troops and mercenaries, which were resisted by Benghazi's inhabitants and insurrectionist members of the military.[16] By 20 February, more than 200 people had been killed in Benghazi.[17] Protests in Tripoli have centred around Green Square. On 21 February, Libyan Air Force aircraft attacked civilian protesters in Tripoli, drawing international condemnation. The New York Times reported that "the crackdown in Libya has proven the bloodiest of the recent government actions."[18]
Several Libyan officials have stepped down over the course of the protests. As of 26 February, most of Libya is reported to be under the control of the Libyan opposition and not the government of Muammar al-Gaddafi.[19][20] Gaddafi remains in control of Tripoli, Sirt,[8] Ghadames and Sabha.[citation needed] In opposition controlled area, several new media have emerged. An opposition-controlled newspaper called Libya has appeared in Benghazi, as well as opposition-controlled radio stations.[21]
Most nations have condemned the Libyan government of Gaddafi for their use of violence against protesters that has killed hundreds of Libyan people.[22] The United States has imposed sanctions on Gaddafi. The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution freezing the assets of Gaddafi, his sons and daughter, and 10 members of his inner circle. The resolution also imposed travel ban on them.[23] However some left-wing governments in Latin America have expressed support for Gaddafi.[22] Venezuela's socialist president Hugo Chavez is backing the Libyan government. He said that he could not rely on media reports that he suspected of being biased and believed some western nations are trying to break up and occupy Libya. This view was echoed by Nicaragua's leftist president Daniel Ortega and Cuba's former Communist leader Fidel Castro.[24] These left-wing governments and their leaders have been criticized for their support for Gaddafi.[25][26][27][28]
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Protests centred on Libya's two largest cities, the capital of Tripoli in the west and Benghazi in the east, and spread to other cities. On 18 February, demonstrators took control over most of Benghazi, with some support from police and defecting military units. The government reacted by sending elite troops and mercenaries, which were resisted by Benghazi's inhabitants and insurrectionist members of the military.[16] By 20 February, more than 200 people had been killed in Benghazi.[17] Protests in Tripoli have centred around Green Square. On 21 February, Libyan Air Force aircraft attacked civilian protesters in Tripoli, drawing international condemnation. The New York Times reported that "the crackdown in Libya has proven the bloodiest of the recent government actions."[18]
Several Libyan officials have stepped down over the course of the protests. As of 26 February, most of Libya is reported to be under the control of the Libyan opposition and not the government of Muammar al-Gaddafi.[19][20] Gaddafi remains in control of Tripoli, Sirt,[8] Ghadames and Sabha.[citation needed] In opposition controlled area, several new media have emerged. An opposition-controlled newspaper called Libya has appeared in Benghazi, as well as opposition-controlled radio stations.[21]
Most nations have condemned the Libyan government of Gaddafi for their use of violence against protesters that has killed hundreds of Libyan people.[22] The United States has imposed sanctions on Gaddafi. The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution freezing the assets of Gaddafi, his sons and daughter, and 10 members of his inner circle. The resolution also imposed travel ban on them.[23] However some left-wing governments in Latin America have expressed support for Gaddafi.[22] Venezuela's socialist president Hugo Chavez is backing the Libyan government. He said that he could not rely on media reports that he suspected of being biased and believed some western nations are trying to break up and occupy Libya. This view was echoed by Nicaragua's leftist president Daniel Ortega and Cuba's former Communist leader Fidel Castro.[24] These left-wing governments and their leaders have been criticized for their support for Gaddafi.[25][26][27][28]
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