Libyan Army Backers Control Benghazi Hospital

Scores of people backing the Libyan army early on Thursday forced the members of the Ansar al-Sharia militia out of Al-Galaa Hospital, the largest state-run medical center in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, eyewitnesses said.



The protesters headed to the hospital soon after they wrapped up a demonstration in Benghazi's Independence Street in support of the Libyan army and against what they called "terrorism".



Having kicked the armed men out of the hospital, the pro-army protesters now totally control the hospital, which was captured by Ansar al-Sharia a month ago.



Ansar al-Sharia's control over the hospital scared both medical workers and patients away from it.



Formed by Mohamed al-Zahawi, who fought in Afghanistan for years, Ansar al-Sharia says it wants to apply the rules of Islamic law in Libya.



The movement has been locked in a ferocious war with Libyan army brigades and forces loyal to retired army general Khalifa Haftar for months now.



Libya has been in turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the autocracy of long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.



By Moataz al-Majbari



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Bingazi