Libya's ambassadors to India, Arab League resign in protest against government

21/02/2011

Libyan Ambassador to India Ali al-Essawi resigned in protest against his government's violent crackdown on demonstrators who have called for the ouster of the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, the Indian Express daily website reported on Monday.

Ambassador al-Essawi also accused the government of using foreign mercenaries to break up mass protests.

There was no immediate comment from the Libyan Embassy in New Delhi.

Libyan security forces began withdrawing from the country's capital Tripoli on Monday, the satellite channel Al-Jazeera reported.

On Sunday evening, Libya's permanent representative in the Arab League, Ambassador Abdel Moneim al-Huny, announced his resignation to protest Libyan authorities' use of violence against demonstrators, Al-Masry Al-Youm news agency reported.

Protests in Libya, one of the world's major oil suppliers, started on February 15 amid violent anti-government demonstrations across the Middle East. Riots are largely centered in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Bayda and Tobruk, but there are reports that unrest has been spreading to the west of the country as well.

The human rights organization Human Rights Watch reported that the death toll has reached at least 233, but Libyan authorities have confirmed the death of 84 people.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of President Gaddafi, has blamed opposition members outside the country of organizing protests in Libya.

Libyan protesters have reportedly attacked the state television center and set several public buildings on fire in the capital.

NEW DELHI, February 21 (RIA Novosti)

Source: RIA Novosti.
Link: http://en.rian.ru/world/20110221/162698818.html.