Car explosion hits Libyan rebel city of Benghazi

BENGHAZI, LIBYA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A car explosion occurred near the Tahrir square of the Libyan rebels' stronghold of Benghazi on Tuesday. No casualties during the explosion.

The wreckage of the exploded car scattered around the scene, and several pick-up trucks and cars nearby suffered severe damage, Xinhua correspondent witnessed.

Local security forces were dismantling and clearing the wreckage when Xinhua correspondent arrived at the scene. While hundreds of local citizens still gathered at the scene, taking photos and videos by their mobile phones.

Libya has been witnessing nation-wide unrest for more than two months after the anti-government protests broke out in mid February, which demand leader Muammar Gaddafi to end his 42-year rule.

The ground fighting between insurgents and the Libyan government troops has immersed in a stalemate for weeks, and the frontline is now between Brega and Ajdabiyah, some more than 100 kilometers west to Benghazi.

Thousands of people usually rally at the square every day and night since the anti-government protests broke out in the city firstly. The courthouse, the headquarters of the rebels, is also located on the square.

The cause of the explosion is unknown up to now, according the rebel official sources.

However, some witnesses claimed that the huge blast was a car bombing made by Gaddafi supporters. Meanwhile, some other local citizens told reporters that it was just an accident due to the home-made explosive for fishing in the car.

Source: Xinhua.
Link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-05/04/c_13857659.htm.