Tuesday, May 08, 2012
(Adds quotes, details of attack)
TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP)--Former Libyan rebels attacked the interim government's headquarters in Tripoli Tuesday, killing at least two people and wounding several others, an interior ministry official said.
Former rebels angry over unpaid stipends opened fire on the headquarters of the interim government after surrounding the building, officials said.
"Between two to four guards were killed and many others are wounded," the interior ministry official told AFP.
"Many men encircled the building and opened fire against it with weapons including anti-aircraft cannons," a government employee said.
"Some men entered the premises and fired from inside," he said, adding that chaotic scenes unfolded as people scrambled for cover.
Several trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns surrounded the building in central Tripoli, blocking traffic, witnesses said.
Residents in the area reported hearing heavy exchanges of gunfire.
Others reported military vehicles traveling down the airport road towards the city center where the headquarters are.
Government spokesman Nasser al-Manaa said Defense Minister Osama Juili was negotiating with the fighters, who "came in protest over [unpaid] stipends."
Last month, citing widespread fraud, Libyan authorities paused the payment of cash bonuses to rebels who had fought against Moammar Gadhafi's forces in 2011.
Former-fighters reacted negatively to the decision. On April 10, they opened fire against the government complex in a smaller attack that authorities brushed off as a "scare tactic."
Security in the building has since then been strengthened, with armed guards stationed around the complex, which holds the offices of Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
08-05-12 1605GMT
