Tear Gas Fired at Protesters

Libyan protesters taking to the streets after noon prayers on Friday were met with tear gas as security forces cracked down on rallies against Muammar Gaddafi. In one district of Tripoli, protesters burned Libyan flags and called for Gaddafi’s fall while pro-Gaddafi forces fired tear gas. Authorities had been gearing up for the Friday protest by reportedly closing mosques and detaining people overnight. Residents say pro-Gaddafi militias have been roaming the streets in civilian cars, detaining and killing people and leaving their bodies in the street. Meanwhile Gaddafi forces made their second air raid on the rebel-held harbor of Brega, and rebel forces advanced on the oil port of Ras Lanuf.