Protestors storm Islamist militia bases in Benghazi

[General Havoc]

Hundreds of Libyan protesters stormed the headquarters of Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia in a backlash after last week's attack on the US consulate.

Security forces were also involved and took over several militia bases, evicting many militia fighters.

The assault follows a day of anti-militia protests in Benghazi, which were sparked by the storming of the US consulate.

Some 30,000 anti-militia protesters had marched in Benghazi earlier on Friday.

Militia flags were pulled down and a vehicle was set on fire inside the compound of Ansar al-Sharia's main base, the Reuters news agency reported.

The Associated Press reported that several thousand supporters of Ansar al-Sharia lined up outside its headquarters, in front of the crowd, waving black and white banners.

Many Libyans have expressed outrage at the attack on the US consulate, which killed US Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Libya's interim government has since come under renewed and intense pressure to rein in well-armed extremist militia groups and force them to disband.

Friday's march is the largest seen in Benghazi, considered the heartland of Libya's uprising, since Colonel Gaddafi was deposed last year.

Armed militia groups, which have remained in force in many parts of Libya, are a legacy of last year's fighting which helped overthrow Gaddafi.

They are better armed and more numerous than Libya's real army, and there have been reports of militias intimidating and carrying out killings against rivals.

Earlier this week authorities in Libya arrested around 50 people in connection with the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.

You know, I know none of them are reading this, and I know they didn't do this to do us any favors, but... still... I appreciate it, guys. I appreciate the gestures. Good luck in rousting these medieval psychopaths.

[Josh]

Dayamn.

Way to go guys.