国际英语新闻:13 killed, 113 injured in attack on anti-militia protesters in Libya capital

TRIPOLI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A group of militiamen opened fire on Friday on hundreds of protesters in Libya's capital of Tripoli, who demanded the former to leave their headquarters in southern Tripoli, killing 13 people and wounding 113 others, Libyan Health Ministry said.

Last Thursday, fierce clashes erupted between different militia groups in central Tripoli, killing two people and injuring many others. Citizens in the capital then called for a general strike to protest against the presence of militias and launched a civil disobedience campaign until the armed men leave.

Earlier Friday, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Al Quds Mosque in downtown Tripoli to urge the armed groups to move out of the capital.

The protesters, who latter headed to southwestern Tripoli, where the military base of a militia group from the western city of Misrata situated, encountered with some militiamen who opened fire with RPGs and heavy machine guns, a Xinhua reporter at scene said.

The militia group from Misrata is allegedly involved in the bloody clashes on last Thursday.

Many people were killed on the spot, and the victims were sent to Abu slim hospital, Central Tripoli Hospital and Tripoli Medical Center.

Speaking on television, regional commander of the Misrata militia group, Taha Bashaga, contended that the protesters were armed and opened fire first. He insisted that his brigades not leave Tripoli until the country draws up a new constitution.

Two years after the 2011 uprising, the Libyan authorities are still struggling to rein in tens of armed militia groups roaming the country. Murders and kidnappings of security officers as well as political activities are registered on daily basis, leaving a number of people dead.