National Wednesday 23 November 2011
At least five people were injured in a dramatic shootout involving members of one of Libya's heavily armed militias late on Monday, highlighting security risks persisting in post-war Libya।
A rebel fighter seen in an archive photo during a shootout outside Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel last August
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Sources explained that the incident happened on Monday night when a fighter from Misurata returned to Palm City with a gang of 40 armed men, after being asked to leave the luxury compound some weeks ago by the management.
The fighter - identified as Osman - led his gang to a shoot-out with Palm City security guards at the main gate, injuring at least three men, and the gang later proceeded to spray the buildings with bullets.
Osman and his gang ransacked some villas in their search for the Maltese-run management, who at the time was not in the compound, but damage was done to some buildings and another two people inside were also injured.
One of the injured, a man from Benghazi was reportedly in bed when he was hit by bullets that came through the window.
While the injured were treated on site and later in hospital, the case was reported to the National Transitional Council, who through the local commanders have initiated investigations.
No Maltese were injured in the shooting. The ring-leader has reportedly been arrested by the NTC.
The militia group from Misrata had previously stayed at Palm City but were not allowed back in. The compound is used by many U.N. and oil company executives, who were swift to thank the managemnet for the swift end to the incident.
"I was in my room when I heard shooting," the witness said. "They were using rifles and heavy machine guns."
Witnesses spoke about bullet holes on the walls of the building closest to the entrance gate, as well as on a glass door of a balcony on the ground floor. Bullet shells lay scattered outside. Managers of the complex was not immediately reachable for comment.
Attempts by MaltaToday to contact the Maltese management at Palm City this morning proved futile.
A European worker, who declined to be named, said he was in the compound when the shooting broke out. "I was on the phone ... and I could hear the gunshots," he said. "They didn't know what was going on."
Three months after Col. Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from Tripoli, post-war Libya is still grappling with a lack of order and bristling with weapons.
Prime Minister designate Abdurrahim El-Keib announced his new government yesterday, which will have the tough task of asserting its control of a fractured country, building institutions from scratch and disarming militias.
Celebratory gun shots can still be heard sporadically across Tripoli and anti-aircraft fire could be briefly heard in the city.
Armed militias are acting as a pseudo-police force: setting up road checkpoints, directing traffic and arresting those they regard as criminals.
Earlier this month, heavy fighting between local armed groups killed several people on the outskirts of Tripoli.
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Sources explained that the incident happened on Monday night when a fighter from Misurata returned to Palm City with a gang of 40 armed men, after being asked to leave the luxury compound some weeks ago by the management.
The fighter - identified as Osman - led his gang to a shoot-out with Palm City security guards at the main gate, injuring at least three men, and the gang later proceeded to spray the buildings with bullets.
Osman and his gang ransacked some villas in their search for the Maltese-run management, who at the time was not in the compound, but damage was done to some buildings and another two people inside were also injured.
One of the injured, a man from Benghazi was reportedly in bed when he was hit by bullets that came through the window.
While the injured were treated on site and later in hospital, the case was reported to the National Transitional Council, who through the local commanders have initiated investigations.
No Maltese were injured in the shooting. The ring-leader has reportedly been arrested by the NTC.
The militia group from Misrata had previously stayed at Palm City but were not allowed back in. The compound is used by many U.N. and oil company executives, who were swift to thank the managemnet for the swift end to the incident.
"I was in my room when I heard shooting," the witness said. "They were using rifles and heavy machine guns."
Witnesses spoke about bullet holes on the walls of the building closest to the entrance gate, as well as on a glass door of a balcony on the ground floor. Bullet shells lay scattered outside. Managers of the complex was not immediately reachable for comment.
Attempts by MaltaToday to contact the Maltese management at Palm City this morning proved futile.
A European worker, who declined to be named, said he was in the compound when the shooting broke out. "I was on the phone ... and I could hear the gunshots," he said. "They didn't know what was going on."
Three months after Col. Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from Tripoli, post-war Libya is still grappling with a lack of order and bristling with weapons.
Prime Minister designate Abdurrahim El-Keib announced his new government yesterday, which will have the tough task of asserting its control of a fractured country, building institutions from scratch and disarming militias.
Celebratory gun shots can still be heard sporadically across Tripoli and anti-aircraft fire could be briefly heard in the city.
Armed militias are acting as a pseudo-police force: setting up road checkpoints, directing traffic and arresting those they regard as criminals.
Earlier this month, heavy fighting between local armed groups killed several people on the outskirts of Tripoli.
