Tripoli, 27 July 2013:
Hundreds of Tripoli residents descended on Martyrs’ Square in the early hours of this morning to protest against the Muslim Brotherhood, in solidarity with Benghazi.
In what is believed to be one of the largest demonstrations the capital has seen, the long-standing Political Isolation Law (PIL) tent in one corner of the square, which was manned mainly by members and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, was attacked and damaged.
Protestors also stormed the headquarters of the Justice and Construction Party (JCP) and the National Forces Alliance (NFA). Windows were reportedly smashed in both buildings, and furniture damaged and looted.
There have also been reports that the house of NFA leader, Mahmoud Jibril, was attacked.
The protests supported last night’s demonstrations in Benghazi, following the killing of popular political activist Abdulsalam Musmari on Thursday afternoon.
It is thought that further protests are planned for this evening, both in Tripoli and Benghazi.
This afternoon in Martyrs’ Square, the remains of the PIL tent was being dismantled. In the middle of the square, a new, smaller, tent had been erected and a group of what are believed to be Islamists were gathered.
Labelling the current government “corrupt” and calling individual ministers thieves, one speaker said: “We want a completely new government.”
The group called for a national strike across the whole country on the 20th day of Ramadan. They urged all Libyans to shut shops and businesses and take to the streets to demand the removal of the government.
