Libya expels Benghazi security chiefs over US Consulate attack

Most leaders of Arab countries always blame their security officials whenever any attack or blow-up occurs, to prove to the world that they always make security reformation and changes, aiming to avoid the repetition of such incidents.

Hence, Libya’s Interior Minister, Fawzi Abdel A'al has fired two top security officials, based in Benghazi city, after deadly attack on the city’s U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, in which U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed when the consulate was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades during a protest against an anti-Islam film made in America.

According to the report, Deputy Interior Minister for the eastern region, Wanis al-Sharef, and the head of national security for Benghazi, Hussein Bou Hmida, were forced to step down, Libyan security officials told Libya TV.

Col. Salahadeen Doghman will replace the Deputy Interior Minister for the east, Wanis al-Sharef, as well as Hmida, Interior Minister Fawzi Abdel A'al told Reuters.

Al-Sharef said he did not receive any decision on this regard from Tripoli. He also claimed that if the interior minister decided so, then it is to cover his failure and keep himself away from any responsibility.

He added that the minister of interior did not contact him during the attack, but he received many contacts from non-Libyan officials in order to familiarize themselves with the facts of that assault.

Al-Sharif confirmed that the number of wounded in the consulate attack was 18 people, including Libyan security personnel and American employees, who were in the consulate at the time of the attack. He also stressed that 32 American officials were evacuated after the attack by Libyan special forces.

It is worth mentioning that Ambassador Stevens is believed to have died from smoke inhalation after becoming trapped in the blazing diplomatic compound as it came under fire from RPGs, mortars and small arms. According to media, there was no autopsy report for the bodies of the ambassador's and the other three who died with him.

However, according to Asharq Al Awsat daily, nearly a year after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and his regime, the attack has shown once again the inability of the new Libyan authorities to ensure security in the country.

The authorities have proved powerless and will not bring anyone to justice, the paper added.

In related news, Mohammed Taib, security chief at Benghazi council, said, "It was a peaceful demonstration that turned into a frontline."

Opinion:

Apparently, the Libyan minister of interior speaks more than works and thus Libyan reports and precisely what is being said on media, does not show anything except floundering and lack of experience in dealing with problems or big events.

Americans know that the Libyans are powerless, therefore they are interfering in every single detail in the investigation. CNN has quoted an FBI source, as saying Libya is willingly cooperating with the United States in investigating last Tuesday’s attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. The FBI, however, will not dispatch officers to Benghazi because of security concerns. It is questioning American eyewitnesses of the incident who have returned home.

Most Libyans say that, the recent Libyan leaders did not meet the least expectations of their people, moreover, others said that Gaddafi's era, despite its disadvantages, was better than today, where prices and weapons chaos is increasing, in addition to the unemployment.

I'm afraid that the "Arab Spring" is to be named "Arab Autumn," after loosing hope in the new leaders to maintain security and peace.

Sources:

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/09/17/238585.html

http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=9179