Long-standing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has lost control over the eastern part of the country; however, in the western region hired foreign thugs continue to terrorize the locals.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankLong-standing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has lost control over the eastern part of the country; however, in the western region hired foreign thugs continue to terrorize the locals.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/27/162772796_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_f0e4f321e229bc43a212ad10bcf928eb.jpg)
Long-standing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has lost control over the eastern part of the country; however, in the western region hired foreign thugs continue to terrorize the locals.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei SteninOpposition activists from Benghazi have organized special committees attempting to restore order.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/28/162772811_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_85a3f46a1ea1fb3dac8fa57e06f00c94.jpg)
2/11
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin
Opposition activists from Benghazi have organized special committees attempting to restore order.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei SteninCurrently, the city is surrounded with barricades, residents are afraid of possible revenge from Gaddafi, who has hired African forces to suppress the opposition.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/28/162772829_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_634759da068ac0a0e98374e73e132483.jpg)
3/11
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin
Currently, the city is surrounded with barricades, residents are afraid of possible revenge from Gaddafi, who has hired African forces to suppress the opposition.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankA growing number of Libyan diplomats and officials are turning their backs to Gaddafi and demanding his resignation. In the photo: abandoned tanks on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/28/162772845_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_e0630ea4b82fe9012d78d8bfd9b163f8.jpg)
A growing number of Libyan diplomats and officials are turning their backs to Gaddafi and demanding his resignation. In the photo: abandoned tanks on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei SteninChildren playing on military vehicles abandoned on the streets of Benghazi.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victimsи Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victimsи - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/28/162772882_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_bf00faab0d45215c286e83903786104f.jpg)
5/11
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin
Children playing on military vehicles abandoned on the streets of Benghazi.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankRounds of gunfire are frequent in the streets of Benghazi. Locals shoot into the air in a sign of liberation from Gaddafi.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/28/162772897_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_149657b48dc990e631cdda4ebcb58b6e.jpg)
Rounds of gunfire are frequent in the streets of Benghazi. Locals shoot into the air in a sign of liberation from Gaddafi.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankThe youngest son of the embattled ruler Muammar Gaddafi has joined the pro-democracy protesters in Libya, the Press TV channel said.
In the photo: public prayer in Benghazi.
In the photo: public prayer in Benghazi.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/29/162772912_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_b626c3ec78371a300180c9c02b583119.jpg)
The youngest son of the embattled ruler Muammar Gaddafi has joined the pro-democracy protesters in Libya, the Press TV channel said.
In the photo: public prayer in Benghazi.
In the photo: public prayer in Benghazi.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei SteninAccording to news reports from Libya, Gaddafi's regime has hired foreigners from the Mideast and African countries because it does not trust the national army or police. The main objective of the "thugs for hire" is to rein in the protestors and scare activists in the opposition.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/29/162772927_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_d82e19c797503a79ec82a4b286d32486.jpg)
8/11
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin
According to news reports from Libya, Gaddafi's regime has hired foreigners from the Mideast and African countries because it does not trust the national army or police. The main objective of the "thugs for hire" is to rein in the protestors and scare activists in the opposition.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankResidents of Benghazi mourn relatives and friends who were killed in the clashes.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/29/162772942_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_f55d947c90f9047e371ab479b0a85f94.jpg)
Residents of Benghazi mourn relatives and friends who were killed in the clashes.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankUp to 2,000 people have been killed in the tumult, according to media and international organizations.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/29/162772957_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_c33f43deffc2bb6c98674c151aa1629a.jpg)
Up to 2,000 people have been killed in the tumult, according to media and international organizations.
© RIA Novosti . Andrei Stenin / Go to the mediabankLibya’s connection with other countries is obstructed; internet and telephone communications are hindered. Since the beginning of the nationwide upheaval, Libyan authorities have not allowed foreign journalists in the county.
![Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims Rebellious Benghazi: residents mark fall of Gaddafi’ regime and mourn victims - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16277/29/162772972_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_1bab896a8f9b9fc0020e65ebd396e1c2.jpg)
Libya’s connection with other countries is obstructed; internet and telephone communications are hindered. Since the beginning of the nationwide upheaval, Libyan authorities have not allowed foreign journalists in the county.