Protesters storm Libyan govt HQ

protesters that he had accepted the resignation of Benghazi’s mayor and elections would be held for a replacement.
“We are going through a political movement that can take the country to a bottomless pit,” Abdel Jalil told a news conference in Benghazi
Addressing protesters’ demands that the new government was not doing enough, he appealed for more time.
In what was the first such violence against the NTC, several home-made grenades were thrown at the offices and some protesters stormed the building and set its front ablaze, witnesses and NTC members told AFP.
People in Benghazi, birthplace of the revolt which forced out former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, have been protesting for weeks to demand the sacking of Gaddafi-era officials and more transparency about how the NTC is spending Libyan assets.
The attack is a serious blow to the self-appointed, but internationally-recognised NTC, and underscores growing discontent over the way it is running the country.
Many of those who fought in the nine-month civil war that ended with the capture and killing of Col Gaddafi in October are unhappy with cash compensations promised by the government, saying it does not cover their basic needs.
On Saturday, hundreds of young men, many wounded from the war, rallied outside the NTC’s headquarters.
When Abdel Jalil came out to address the crowd, some protesters hurled empty plastic bottles at him, prompting security forces to fire tear gas.
“Go away, Go away,” the protesters chanted as Abdel Jalil spoke.
He then went back into the building, but he is believed to have been pulled to safety from a back door when the crowd charged into the building.
Protesters threw stones and metal bars at the building, breaking its windows, before storming the headquarters.
One protester left the building carrying a set of loudspeakers and screaming: “Spoils of war!”
Angry protesters also damaged a Toyota Land Cruiser used by Abdel Jalil.
“A large number of wounded people were unhappy because the NTC has not met their demands,” said 30-year-old Tareq al-Gheryani as he watched people attacking the NTC’s headquarters.
“People are not happy with the Council because it has also given government posts to people who are known to have links with Gaddafi.”
They also oppose “opportunists” from joining the ruling body.
Interim government officials say it is impossible for them to sack hundreds of officials merely because they served under Gaddafi, but stressed that those proved to have been involved in human rights abuses or financial fraud will be fired.
The NTC is also grappling with problems, including the disbanding of dozens of powerful militias that effectively control the country.
The ministries of interior and defence want to integrate them into a military and police force, but militia chiefs have shown little interest in surrendering their arms. – AFP/Reuters/Al Jazeera.