Protests spread to Libya

BENGHAZI, Libya, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces erupted in Libya Wednesday marking the first attempt to challenge Moammar Gadhafi's rule.

Unconfirmed reports from Benghazi, the country's second largest city, said two protesters were killed and scores injured as anti-government demonstrators fought security forces, the Egyptian Web site Bikya Masr said.

The site published details of an e-mail it received from a Libyan resident named Abdel Majid who described the events in the city.

"We are being attacked, beaten and a couple of us have been killed. What more can be said? Now they are going to shut off the Internet, but it won't stop us in our cause to end 40 years of corruption, torture, violence and the murdering of our fellow Libyans," he wrote.

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported more than 10 people were injured in clashes in the city overnight.

The protests were triggered by the arrest of Fathi Terbil, a lawyer and outspoken critic of the Libyan government the radio said, noting he was later released but the demonstrations continued.

The al-Youm Web site said police used force to disperse a crowd that gathered outside a police station in the city. Protesters chanted slogans such as "the people will end the corruption," the newspaper said.

The government immediately initiated demonstrations in support of Gadhafi in Benghazi and other cities Wednesday, CNN reported. The government informed the public that while grievances will be addressed, calls for the regime's overthrow will not be tolerated, CNN said.