Friday, February 18, 2011

LIBYAN PROTESTS ‘LEAVE 24 DEAD’

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS URGE
LIBYA TO STOP USING ‘LETHAL FORCE’
(CNN) - Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Benghazi, Libya on Friday, carrying the bodies of those killed in this week’s clashes through the streets of the northern coastal city, said an opposition movement spokesman who has been monitoring events in the isolated North African nation. Plainclothes members of the Revolutionary Committee reportedly fired at the protesters, said Mohamed Abdallah of the opposition National Front for the Salvation of Libya. In the eastern town of al-Baida, thousands of people showed up to bury 13 protesters reportedly killed in clashes in recent days, Abdallah said. Demonstrations were unfolding Friday in several other cities, he said. Libyan security forces killed at least 24 people and wounded many others in a crackdown on the protests that erupted Tuesday, said Human Rights Watch. The global monitoring group urged Libyan authorities to refrain from the use of lethal force unless absolutely necessary.

The protest during Libya's "Day of Anger" spread across the country from Benghazi to Kufra. “The security forces vicious attacks on peaceful demonstrators lay bare the reality of Moammar Gadhafi’s brutal rule when faces with any internal dissent,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director for Human Rights Watch. State-run television also sought to counter the protests with coverage of pro-Gadhafi demonstrations. It showed men chanting pro-Gadhafi slogans, waving flags and singing around the Libyan leader’s limousine as it crept through Tripoli. Scores of supportive demonstrators packed the roadway and held up pictures of their leader as fireworks burst into the night sky.


At least 24 people were killed yesterday during the repression of demonstrations by the opposition on the Day of Anger, the protest in which thousands of Libyans claimed the end of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, the man who has ruled the country during 41 years. The Libyan leader led a revolution that ended the monarchy in Libya and in the opinion of many, he is the longest-running dictator in power and the one who runs one of the most repressive and corrupt regimes. As a reaction against the opposition, Gaddafi’s followers held a march to support him. The controversial leader crossed the capital in a convoy, causing applause and cheers from his supporters. Many love this charismatic leader, but others hate him.


WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
Our mundane feelings of attraction and aversion for material objects light the fire of envy, egoism, and hatred so much so that it seems they have the ability to destroy this world. If even a drop of pure affection arises in our hearts for the incarnation of Mahaprabhu’s magnanimity, then no place will remain for these animal propensities like hatred, jealousy, or violence to others. ... How can any attachment or hatred for material objects find a place in the heart where attachment to the guru, the eternal associate of Srimati Radharani, has awakened? In such a heart, there is constant awareness of the absolute necessity of attaining the supreme goal of life, loving service to Sri Krishna.


Śrīla Bhakti Promode Puri Mahārāja :
“The True Spirit of Separation”
http://bvml.org/SBPPG/ttsos.html
http://www.gosai.com/krishna-talk/spirit-of-separation.html


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