50 Arrests in Libya Over Ambassador’s and Marine’s Deaths

 

Libyan authorities arrested at least 50 suspects in connection with the killing of the US ambassador and three others last week, Libya's parliament chief said Sunday, according to AFP.

US ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other Americans died after the gunmen attacked the US consulate and a safe house refuge in the eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday night. The attackers were part of a mob blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.

 Mohammed al-Megaryef, president of the Libyan National Congress said a few of the attackers were foreigners, who entered Libya from countries including Mali and Algiera, AFP reported.

"The others are affiliates and maybe sympathizers," AFP, quoted Megaryef as saying.

Meanwhile, a small group of protestors burned a US flag outside the US Embassy in Turkey's capital Ankara on Sunday in protest against the film , while several dozen others chanted slogans against US policy in Syria.

The protesters from two separate groups, one an Islamist organization and the other a workers' party, carried banners including one which read "Murderer America! Get out of Turkey!"

Riot police backed by water cannon blocked the road outside the embassy, keeping the protesters around 100 meters from its walls, and the group dispersed in less than an hour.

Fury about the amateurish film of obscure origin tore across the Middle East after weekly prayers on Friday with protesters attacking US embassies and burning American flags. The violence largely subsided on Saturday but the Pentagon has bolstered security at its missions in the region.

Turkey's ruling AK Party, in power for the past decade, has Islamist roots but the country has a strong secular tradition and protests against the United States have been peaceful and on a far smaller scale than in other parts of the Middle East.

Sunday's protest coincided with a visit to Turkey by General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is expected to discuss the crisis in neighboring Syria and Turkey's domestic security with his Turkish counterparts.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS

Love And Pride Sale! Up to 70% OFF on Selected Products Buy Now! Special offers and sales for all products! Up to 70% off, Free Shipping! Buy Now!||||