By Libya Herald reporter.
Misrata, 7 October 2017:
Around 80 demonstrators in Misrata yesterday demanded the unification of Libya armed forces, the return of the police and an end to militias such as the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council and the Benghazi Defence Brigades. Gathering in the city’s main square they said they fully supported the Libya army and the country’s other security forces.
The protest came in the wake of Wednesday’s deadly attack on Misrata’s court buildings by elements of the so-called Islamic State. The death toll remains at four, but the number of wounded is now put at 41, some of them seriously injured.
There were attempts to prevent the demonstration. According to one of those present, around 30 people turned up and accused the demonstrators of being Hafter supporters. This was denied and led to counter accusations that those trying to stop the event did not support the 2011 revolution. The right to demonstrate was part of that revolution, the demonstrators said. It was also pointed out that a number of those who were now trying to stop the demonstration had themselves turned up in the same place the previous week and demonstrated in support of Baset Igtet.
There would have been more people at the event, the demonstrator claimed, but people were worried about being accused of backing Hafter.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Presidency Council, Ahmed Maetig, has ordered the ministries of justice and finance to fund urgent repairs to the court complex so that it can resume its work.
