Libya Live Blog - March 6

By Al Jazeera Staff in

Africa

on March 6th, 2011.

Rebel fighters opposing Gaddafi organise themselves before advancing westwards [AFP]

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As the uprising in Libya continues, we update you with the latest developments from our correspondents, news agencies and citizens across the globe. Al Jazeera is not responsible for content derived from external sites.

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AJE Live Stream - Special Coverage: Libya Uprising - Twitter Audio: Voices from Libya

(All times are local in Libya GMT+2)

• Timestamp:

  6:19am

  Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports from the capital Tripoli where she says that there has been gunfire heard since this morning. She says it is not possible to identify who is firing and why.

• Timestamp:

  6:10am

  In the west of Libya, rebels claim to have taken full control of the oil port of Ras Lanuf. Some government soldiers in the strategic town have reportedly switched sides.

• 6:00am

  An emblem of the Libyan air force can be seen in this image taken from video of the wreckage of what rebel opposition fighters say was a plane that they shot down near the north central town of Ras Lanuf on March 05, 2011. The rebel force said that the two pilots of the plane died. [AFP]

  

• Timestamp:

  2:10am

  US military flights carrying dozens of Egyptian refugees from Libya have arrived from the capital Cairo, an official told AFP news agency.
  
  Military planes had taken off from Djerba airport in Tunisia as part of an international effort to evacuate refugees from the unrest in Libya.

• Timestamp:

  1:25am

  Tanks manned by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi fired on houses when they launched a fresh assault on the town of Az Zawiyah, near the capital, witnesses told AFP news agency. The self-declared national council established by anti-government forces fighting to overthrow Gaddafi declared itself the sole representative of the country.

• Timestamp:

  1:06am

  State television in Libya is reporting that life in the capital Tripoli is normal. Analysts say this is important for the government of Muammar Gaddafi to assert their authority.

• Timestamp:

  12:00am

  Our live blog continues here today. If you missed anything from March 5, get it here.

Interior ministry to restructure state security

Arabic Edition

Sat, 05/03/2011 - 16:54

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Photographed by محمد رفاعي

On its official Facebook page, the cabinet said the ministry of interior is currently conducting an urgent study to restructure the state security apparatus and specify its functions, objectives and mechanisms, following the latest developments in the country.

Clashes erupted yesterday in Alexandria between officers and employees from state security and hundreds of protesters who said they want the apparatus dismantled.

Protesters also surrounded the state security building in Giza as smoke rose from it, while in Zigazag smoke was also seen rising from the state security buildings. Eyewitnesses said state security officers were burning important documents.

In 6th October City, dozens of protesters gathered near the state security office there to call for its dissolution, and officers responded by firing into the air to break up the protest, according to eyewitnesses.

In Damietta too, dozens protested in front of state security headquarters to prevent documents being taken out of the building or being damaged inside. Activists there said thugs attempted to disperse the protest as it grew.

An army force intervened to end the resulting clashes. Mohamed Abu Samra, an activist, said he has filed a complaint with the armed forces accusing thugs of attacking him and his colleagues while they were outside the building. He said this counters accusations by state security officers that some protesters attempted to break into the building.

Two dead, church torched in Egypt sectarian clash

AFP

Sat, 05/03/2011 - 16:40

Photographed by Al-Masry Al-Youm Staff

• 1

Two men were killed during clashes in Egypt between Muslims and Christians, which also saw Muslims set fire to a church in the village of Sol, south of Cairo, a security official said on Saturday.

"Two people were killed, and the Shahedain church set on fire in clashes between two families," the official told the MENA news agency.

The violence was triggered by a feud between the families, which disapproved of a romantic relationship between a Christian man and a Muslim woman in the province of Helwan.

It culminated in fighting on Friday in which both of the couples' fathers were killed, the official said.

After the funeral for the woman's father, a group of Muslims headed to the village church and set it on fire.

The army, which has been maintaining security in Egypt since police disappeared during anti-regime protests last month, managed to put the fire out and restore calm to the area, the official said.

Romantic relationships between Muslim and Christians are taboo in Egypt, and marriage between a Christian man and a Muslim woman is illegal unless the man converts to Islam.

Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million population.

Eyewitnesses say documents burning in state security HQs in 6th October, Zagazig

Arabic Edition

Sat, 05/03/2011 - 16:11

المصدر

Photographed by المصري اليوم

• 1

Hundreds of protesters today surrounded the state security headquarters in 6th October City after thick smoke was seen rising from the building and surrounding area.

The protesters attempted to break into the building after it was said that some state security officers had burned important documents inside. Officers responded by firing in the air to disperse the protesters.

One of the protesters said they had succeeded in opening one of the building's gates to break in and obtain some of the unburned documents.

Eyewitnesses said that cars carrying several files drove off fast and the protesters could not catch up with them.

An army force was deployed around the building and its leader tried to calm the protesters, promising to keep the papers safe. The protesters, meanwhile, called for quick intervention to save what they described as important documents.

Eyewitnesses in Zagazig also said they saw smoke rising from the state security building in their governorate, likewise claiming that documents and files are being burned inside the building.

Mahmoud Youssef, a worker in a school located opposite the building, said he has seen smoke there since early morning.

Youssef added that the building's gates are closed and three central security trucks are positioned there, but nobody has moved to put out the fire or call a fire engine.

Court upholds decision to freeze Mubaraks' assets

Staff

Sat, 05/03/2011 - 13:22

Photographed by Reuters

• 1

The Cairo Court of Appeal today upheld a decision by Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud to freeze the assets of former president Hosni Mubarak, his wife Suzanne Saleh Thabet, sons Alaa and Gamal, their wives Heidi Rasekh and Khadiga al-Gammal, and their children.

This decision covers cash, real estate, shares and other securities in banks and companies inside Egypt.

The Mubaraks face charges of acquiring wealth illegally.

ElBaradei urges Egypt's military to hand power to presidential council

Staff

Sat, 05/03/2011 - 13:22

Photographed by Mohamed Maarouf

• 1

Pro-democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei suggested on Saturday the formation of a presidential council if the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces insists on handing over power after six months.

On his Twitter account, the ElBaradei said what is important at the moment is to lay foundations for a genuine democracy, adding that we should not be pressured by the time factor.

He said a temporary constitution, the setting up of a committee to put together a new constitution, and holding the presidential elections before parliamentary elections are factors that will help ensure a transition to a democracy based on participation and equal opportunity.

ElBaradei warned that holding parliamentary elections before the presidential elections, with restrictions on forming political parties still in place, will produce a parliament that does not truly represent the people.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces earlier announced that the referendum on constitutional amendments will be held on 19 March, the parliamentary election in June and the presidential race in August.

Egyptian revolutionaries say this schedule is likely to favor members of the National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood, who are the most organized forces at the moment.

Saudi Arabia imposes ban on all protests

Saudi officials are aware of protests - sometimes focused at their country - building across the region

All protests and marches are to be banned in Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry has announced on state TV.

Its statement said security forces would use all measures to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order.

The announcement follows a series of protests by the kingdom's Shia minority in the oil-producing eastern province.

Last month, King Abdullah unveiled a series of benefits in an apparent bid to protect the kingdom from the revolts spreading throughout many Arab states.

"Regulations in the kingdom forbid categorically all sorts of demonstrations, marches and sit-ins, as they contradict Islamic Sharia law and the values and traditions of Saudi society," the Saudi interior ministry statement said.

It added that police were "authorised by law to take all measures needed against those who try to break the law".

The protests in the Eastern Province - where much of the country's crude oil is sourced - have been demanding the release of prisoners who demonstrators say have been held without trial.

The announcement of the crackdown on protests follows the return, last week, of King Abdullah to the capital after an absence of several months due to illness.

He unveiled an additional $37bn (£22.7bn) in benefits for citizens, including a 15% pay rise for state employees, as well as extra funds for housing, studying abroad and social security.