By Maha Ellawati.
Benghazi. 2 September:
The member of the intelligence . . .[restrict]services killed in a car bomb explosion in Benghazi’s Gamel Abdul Nasser Street this afternoon has been named as Colonel Juma Al-Kadiki. He died instantly when what is being reported as a “Gelatina” bomb went off. His colleague, Captain Basit Agfiza Mabrouk, was rushed to hospital. His condition is unknown.
There are differing accounts of what happened. According to a Supreme Security Committee spokesman, the car was attacked by unknown assailants. However, there are allegations that the bomb was being carried in the car door compartment and exploded when the door was slammed shut.
It is reported that the two had just left a meeting at the General Intelligence Services. They went to buy cigarettes. Eyewitnesses say that, when he got out, Mabrouk slammed the door of the car hard and this was followed by an immediate explosion.
Fourteen other current and former military officials have been assassinated in Benghazi so far this year and there have been other attempted assassinations. It has led local residents to claim there is a hit list, drawn up by an alleged undercover Islamist organisation.
Earlier last month, Brigadier-General Mohammed Al-Fitouri who had served under the Qaddafi regime but was in charge of weapons-storage in the city, was gunned down as he left midday prayers in the city.
In a response to the assassinations, Grand Mufti Sheikh Sadik Al-Ghariani issued a fatwa condemning the bombings and assassinations.
However, there have also been fears of attacks and acts of sabotage in the city by pro-Qaddafi elements in the run-up to the 1 September anniversary of the late dictator’s 1969 coup. These have been fuelled in recent days by a number of incidents.
On Friday, a bomb was found that the Sidi Hussein blood bank centre with the message o “Al-Fatah –a gift from martyr, Issam Fitouri, 30 August 2012”. The reference to “Al Fatah” (the Opening) which was Qaddafi’s description for his 1969 “revolution” was seen as confirmation of pro-Qaddafi activity.
On Wednesday, security forces in the city reportedly uncovered large quantities of weapons and ammunition in one of the city’s public markets
On Monday, an armed group attacked the Criminal Investigation Department’s premises in the city. There were no casualties and two of the attackers were detained.
As a result a state of high alert was declared in the city by the deputy interior minister responsible for eastern Libya, Wanis Al-Sharif.
The attack on Wednesday in which an air force colonel, Mahmud Berrhouma, was shot in the legs is, however, seen to have been an attempt at common theft. The assailant was apparently after his car.
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