Protesters clashed with police Wednesday in Libya as anti-government demonstrations spread onto the streets of Tripoli, news outlets in the region are reporting.
Libyan opposition groups, inspired by events unfolding in throughout the region are calling for “A Day of Rage” scheduled for Thursday, in an effort to oust long time leader Moammar Qaddafi. Qaddafi came into power in 1969, after leading a coup against the previous monarchy. The opposition, mainly comprised of young people, “is not well organized,” one local observer said, leading to concerns that the demonstration will be smashed by security forces.
Media reports out of Libya say police were firing rubber bullets into the crowd and protesters were fighting back with stones. According to local news agencies 38 people have been injured in the clashes and hospitalized.
The protests grew after the Libyan government arrested a human rights defender Jamal al-Hajji, this week. Al –Haji was arrested after posting a call for protest on the Internet. He called for a major uprising on March 2, against Qaddafi. Al-Hajji was arrested in Tripoli on allegations that he hit a car and fled the scene of the accident, according to reports.
Opposition activists are using social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to organize against the government and call for reforms.
