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By Ashraf Abdul-Wahab
Tripoli, 24 September:
Local officials and tribal elders in Wadi Al-Ajaal district in southern Libya have warned that it is . . .[restrict]under threat from remnants of pro-Qaddafi forces.
The district’s military council issued a warning on Sunday in response to last Thursday’s attack on the Anti-Illegal Immigration Department detention centre in the town of Ghuraifa. According to the council, the attack was carried out by a group of pro-Qaddafi brigadesmen who it is claimed are hiding out in the area. A council statement said the department’s vehicles had been attacked in the incident and Libya’s tricolour flag burned.
Other reports indicate that that the attackers tried to release illegal immigrants being held at the centre. One suggestion is that the attackers are involved in people smuggling.
Local tribal elders on Saturday called on the General National Congress to send reinforcements to stabilise the region. Their call followed fresh clashes in Ghuraifa during the day between locals and the brigadesmen. Ten people were said to have been injured.
On Sunday, it was reported that residents in Wadi Al-Ajaal were calling for supporters to come to expel Qaddafi brigadesmen whom they claimed were still in Ghuraifa.
The military council also called on the county’s leaders to take measure to protect the area. [/restrict]
