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By Aimen Amzein and Noora Ibrahim.
Benghazi, 29 June 2014:
Benghazi Joint Security Room (BJSR) has ordered the evacuation of . . .[restrict]Benghazi’s Jalaa hospital saying that if necessary its patients and doctors will be removed for their own safety by force.
The order was prompted by a move by Ansar Al-Sharia which assumed protection of the hospital less than one week ago. BJSR asked management at Jalaa to evacuate staff and patients promptly to avoid civilians being caught up in any fighting there. The security room said the Islamist brigade had exploited a security crisis at Benghazi port to take control of the hospital, placing its forces at the medical centre illegally.
Despite the threat to close down the hospital and remove patients and staff alike by force, a hospital source said that it would be difficult to comply with the demand as a number patients had to constantly use hospital equipment.
Clashes at Benghazi port one week ago left seven dead and 13 wounded after Libya Shield fought with BJSR and Saiqa Special Forces following a drugs bust. BJSR forces were withdrawn from Jalaa hospital in the aftermath of the attack.
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