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By Noora Ibrahim and Moutaz Ahmed.
Benghazi, 9 May 2014:
Shots were reportedly fired during protests in Benghazi this evening outside the headquarters . . .[restrict]of the 17 February Brigade.
The protests were sparked by anger over warning shots fired at an earlier demonstration against the worsening security crisis in Benghazi. Protestors fled from the demonstration outside the city’s Tibesti Hotel, which began at 5 pm, after shots were fired by gunmen attempting to disperse the crowd
Troops from Saiqa Special forces intervened during the Tibesti protests to protect the demonstrators.
“We want our police and army. We’re fed up with the security situation in the city,” a protestor outside the Tibesti told the Libya Herald just before the shots rang out. It was difficult to know from where they came and demonstrators ran for safety. An eyewitness, however, later told this newspaper that he had seen five gunmen shooting from behind the hotel.
The demonstrators then rallied again and, convinced that the gunmen were linked to 17 February Brigade, then headed to its headquarters at the end of Venezia Street to continue their protests.
At the time of writing, Saiqa forces were reported heading to the 17 February Brigade headquarters to protect those protestors still there amid rumours that Ansar Al-Sharia were sending forces to help the brigade.
Violence continued in Benghazi today as unknown assailants attacked a furniture shop in Souq Zamzam with rocket propelled grenades, Benghazi Joint Security Room spokesman Ibrahim Al-Sharaa told the Libya Herald.
No causalities have been reported as a result of the attack. [/restrict]
