Benghazi debunking myths and leading the way

Thousands protest against Libyan militias in Benghazi

Thousands demonstrated on Friday against Libya's rivalling militias in the city of Benghazi, where three US diplomats including the ambassador to Libya were killed in an attack on the US consulate last week.

Thousands of Libyans rallied against militias in the tense city of Benghazi on Friday, drowning out a protest by radical Salafists furious over a film and cartoons deemed offensive to Islam.

"No to armed formations" and "Yes to the Libya army" read banners raised by protesters gathered at the city's Tibesti Hotel before marching to Al-Kish Square, close to the barracks of several militia brigades.

"Our law is God's law, not the law of the jungle," women chanted.

Banners also paid tribute to US ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed along with three Americans on September 11 in what the White House now calls a terrorist attack on the US mission in Benghazi.

"Libya lost a friend" and "We want justice for Stevens," signs read.

Organisers had called the march to demand that the central government in Tripoli tame the armed groups that have retained huge power since last year's Western-backed uprising that overthrew Moamer Kadhafi.

They demanded the withdrawal of powers conferred on the militias and urged the national congress to pass legislation criminalising them and codifying the law on bearing arms.

The organisers also called for the withdrawal of all armed groups from state buildings and institutions and full support for measures to revitalise the police and army.

A rival protest in the same square by jihadist group Ansar al-Sharia drew hundreds of people waving black and white flags inscribed with the Muslim declaration of faith.

"There is no God but God," they chanted, as well as "Obama is the enemy of God," referring to US President Barack Obama.

The militia, which rejects democracy and refuses to join security forces which they see as tainted by the presence of Kadhafi loyalists, raged against a film made in America mocking Islam and French cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

"If defending our prophet is terrorism then we are terrorists" read signs in their protest.

Libyan demonstrators try to evict Islamists from headquarters

Scores of pro-government demonstrators entered the headquarters of the Islamist militia Ansar al Sharia in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Friday, aiming to evict fighters from the site, Reuters witnesses said.

Police and army vehicles arrived at the scene, but there was no immediate signs of violence or confrontation.

Thousands of Libyans had marched in Benghazi on Friday in support of democracy and against the Islamist militias that Washington blames for an attack on the U.S. consulate last week that killed four Americans including the ambassador.

The "Rescue Benghazi day" demonstration called for the government to disband armed groups that have refused to give up their weapons since the NATO-backed revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi last year.

It was not immediately clear if the militia headquarters had been occupied at the time, but there was sign of any fighters there.

"We entered here to give the place to the national security forces," said activist Musaf al-Sheikhy.

The action appeared to be part of a coordinated sweep of militia headquarters by police, government troops and activists following the demonstration.

"We are taking over the premises of the batallion. This was at the request of the people, who demanded that the batallion leaves this place," said Army Colonel Naji al-Shuaibi, who was leading the operation to take over the militia headquarters.