Improved security for Egyptians in Sirte promised following protests

By Houda Mzioudet.

Trpoli, 4 November 2013:

Officials in Sirte have promised better protection for Egyptians working in the town. The promise was . . .[restrict]made at a meeting following yesterday’s protests at the local council offices over the murder of an Egyptian worker on Sunday evening.  A member of the Ghardabiya Martyrs Brigade of Sirte, Makhlouf Ferjani, told the workers that measures would be taken to ensure their security in future.

As many as 150 Egyptians took part in yesterday’s protests at the murder of Mohamed Ragab. He was shot dead by burglars who broke into a garage where he worked, Salah Abu Hligha, a military commander in Sirte, told the Libya Herald. Another Egyptian worker had been injured in the shooting.

“The protestors were asking for protection against violence,” Abu Hligha explained.

The Egyptians complained of being regularly subjected to violence from locals, including burglary and robbery. More than one of their compatriots had been murdered and others had ended up in hospital as a result of being attacked, they claimed.  They had finally decided to demonstrate to bring their voices to Sirte officials, they stated. [/restrict]