Libyan protesters have clashed with government forces after Friday prayers in Tripoli, mounting a fresh challenge to the Qadhafi-regime which had earlier come down in the capital to suppress the revolt.
“The situation is chaotic in parts of Tripoli now,” The Associated Press quoted an eyewitness as saying. Armed loyalists of President Qadhafi in truckloads were now roaming the streets, while sounds of gunfire could be heard in the city.
Amid the chaos in the Libyan capital, the United Nations World Food Programme has said food supplies are at risk, as imports are not reaching ports and violence is inhibiting distribution around the country.
The clashes in Tripoli began at a time when Libyan authorities in the capital and the opposition headquartered in the eastern city of Benghazi, appeared to be preparing for a bloody showdown, amid a keenly anticipated meeting on Libya, of the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
In Benghazi, the protesters who have, after bloody clashes, taken over the city since Sunday, are taking rudimentary steps to run a people-led administration. Simultaneously, they are preparing militarily, as well, to counter any possible regime backlash.
Lawyers and youth activists are taking the lead in implanting a new administration that would provide basic services to the residents.
Among them is Fathi Terbil, the 39 year old lawyer, whose arrest on February 15 sparked the revolt in Benghazi. Mr. Terbil represents families of around 1,000 inmates, who were killed in 1996 by the regime in Tripoli's Abu Slim prison. His detention, ahead of a planned protest on February 17, in which families of the victims were to participate, stirred deep seated animosity towards the regime, igniting the anti-Qadhafi uprising.
The revolt was preceded by a peaceful two-year campaign for new constitution, and demands for rule of law by a lawyers syndicate, based in Benghazi.
In anticipation of clashes with the government forces, the dissidents are well armed with weapons, included heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns, some of which was looted from a local armoury, after pro-regime forces had been defeated. Weapons have also been reportedly smuggled from Egypt, bordering Libya to the east. The troops that defected from Mr. Qadhafi's forces are apparently providing the military leadership to the protesters. The defection of the former Interior Minister, Abdel Fattah Younes al-Abidi, has also gone a long way to turnaround state security personnel, formerly with the regime, who are now siding with the opposition.
Al Jazeera Arabic is reporting that defecting Libyan political leaders and diplomats are now engaged in intensive discussions to form an alternative political leadership.
The opposition continues to hold the most of the eastern Libya, but had temporarily lost the city of Misratah, closer to Tripoli to pro-government forces.
However, Al Jazeera is reporting that the protesters have on Thursday regained control over the city.
Ahead of the Security Council meeting, Germany is preparing the sanctions draft against Libyan leaders in the wake of attacks on protesters, said Guido Westerwelle, Germany's Foreign Minister said on Friday.
France and Britain are expected to seek imposition of a UN sanctions arms embargo on Libya, as well as financial sanctions and an indictment of Libyan leaders for crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, NATO has also called for an emergency meeting for Friday afternoon on Libya.
