Libya mulls curfew for violence-hit Benghazi
2013-01-17 08:30
Tripoli - Libya is considering imposing a curfew on the
violence-wracked eastern city of Benghazi, its prime minister said on
Wednesday, a day after a car bomb killed a police officer there.
"We envision taking security measures in co-ordination
with the General National Congress... that could include a curfew if we
consider it necessary," Ali Zeidan told journalists on his return from a
visit to Qatar.
Zeidan said no decision had yet been taken on what would be
a "partial curfew" covering only certain areas, but that it was
"very probable".
He added that the "army and police will be deployed in
the streets and that draconian measures will be taken to maintain security".
In the latest violence to hit the cradle of the 2011 revolt
that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi, a car bomb killed a police officer in
Benghazi on Tuesday.
"A bomb was planted in the car of Sergeant Salah Miftah
Wizry," a security official said. "The car exploded while he was
coming home from a restaurant."
On Monday, two policemen were hurt when an improvised bomb
hit their car.
The number of attacks targeting military and police
officers, including ones who served the former regime, has increased in recent
weeks despite efforts by the new authorities to boost security in the
Mediterranean city.
Benghazi has emerged as a hub for jihadist groups, including
militants who killed US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in
an attack on the US consulate last September 11.
Many diplomatic missions and international organisations,
such as the United Nations, have scaled down or ended operations there after
envoys were targeted.
Italy temporarily closed its consulate in Benghazi on
Tuesday and pulled its staff out of the country following a failed gun attack
on the consul.
- SAPA
