Eastern Libya Opposition In Control

.

Eastern Libya appears to be under opposition control

Posted: February 21st, 2011 -- 07:30 AM ET

Add a comment [to AC360º blog]

Ben Wedeman
CNN Correspondent


Eastern Libya (CNN) -- Groups of men in civilian clothing, armed with weapons ranging from shotguns to machine guns, guarded streets in eastern Libya on Monday as opposition leaders appeared to be in firm control of much of the region.

Opposition groups formed "popular committees" to maintain some sort of order after pushing out government forces in a spreading revolt against longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi, who has led the north African country since 1969.

One man who identified himself as a resistance leader said he has been meeting with Libyan military commanders in the region, and that a large part of the army has joined the anti-government forces. An ammunition dump was burning in the nearby desert, apparently set afire by retreating government forces.

But opposition leaders say they are concerned that pro-Gadhafi forces may try to retake the area, so the men on the street remain armed.

Many businesses were open Monday, allowing some semblance of normal life in the aftermath of the revolt. But most of the traffic on the roads appeared to be Egyptians leaving the country. An estimated 2 million to 3 million Egyptians live next door, and about 15,000 had crossed back into Egyptian territory by Monday, border guards told CNN.

The Libyan uprising follows similar revolts that toppled leaders in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt since mid-January. But Gadhafi's government has put up more resistance than those leaders did.

---