By Ashraf Abdul Wahab.
Tripoli, 14 September 2013:
Special Forces security personnel have raided the headquarters next to Libya Al-Watania TV station of . . .[restrict]a gang in the Zawiyat Al-Dahmani district of Tripoli, making a number of arrests.
Some gunfire was exchanged but the Special Forces were reportedly able to easily overpower the gang. Those arrested are now being questioned.
The gang, said to be made up local disaffected, jobless youths, had taken over a hotel beside Al-Watania, claiming to have the task of providing security and protection to the TV channel. Apparently, however, this arrangement was imposed on the station’s management.
The raid is seen as a response to an assault on a member of the General National Congress, Mohamed Yunis Toumi, who was attacked on 4 September while visiting the Al-Watania premises. He was verbally and physically abused, along with Al-Watania’s manager and several other employees.
Numerous complaints had previously been made to the police by members of staff from the TV station and local residents about the gang members. These related to instances of verbal abuse and harassment as well as general antisocial behaviour. [/restrict]
