Unrest, protests rock southern Libya

UPI


TRIPOLI, Libya, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Libyan military placed the city of Kufra under siege following protests over lack of medical and other basic services, an opposition leader said.

"A large amount of Libyan forces have been sent south," the opposition source told Med Basin Newsline.

The protests led to clashes between Libyan security forces and the Tabu tribe Monday, resulting in two deaths and 19 injuries although government officials would not comment on the reported unrest, Med Basin reported Thursday.

Opposition leaders said government authorities cut phone connections between Kufra and other locations.

"The army is constantly bringing in troops via helicopter," the opposition source said. "There is heavy fighting and shooting taking place in the city."

Issa Abdul Majid Mansour, who leads the Libyan Tabu Salvation Front in Europe, said security forces and tribal leaders were exchanging fire. Mansour, based in Norway, said tribesmen were setting afire army and security vehicles in the Kufra area.