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Video: Gaddafi loyalists attack woman - and journalists - in Tripoli hotel

Loyalists to the Libyan leader try to stop a woman from complaining of a sexual assault – and then attack western media.

THE FOLLOWING IS a video recorded by a journalist at the Rixos Al Nasr hotel in central Tripoli. It’s a fairly luxurious hotel, currently housing much of the world’s media seeking temporary accommodation to cover the ongoing hostilities in Libya.

Foreign journalists were having breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant yesterday when a Benghazi woman, named by the Guardian as Iman al-Obeidi, burst in and showed journalists bruising and cuts on her legs, claiming she had been sexually assaulted.

She is then followed in by Gaddafi loyalists, who try to disperse the media as they accuse her of treachery against Gaddafi. In the resulting scenes, the journalists are attacked – with a CNN cameraman having his equipment smashed.

Other staff from the Financial Times and Channel 4 were assaulted in the incident. Obeidi was driven away – her handlers saying she was being taken to hospital, Obeidi herself saying she was being brought to jail.

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    Mute Craig Barry
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    Dec 30th 2014, 9:50 PM

    Great article !!

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Dec 30th 2014, 10:10 PM

    Its good to find some one who carries keep looking those who are not feeling the best.

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    Mute Marian Dalton
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    Dec 30th 2014, 10:36 PM

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    Mute Pat O Meara
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    Dec 31st 2014, 1:07 AM

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    Mute Pat O Meara
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    Dec 31st 2014, 1:24 AM

    how easy it is to judge than be judged

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    Mute Pat O Meara
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    Dec 31st 2014, 1:40 AM

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Dec 30th 2014, 10:14 PM

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    Mute Sol thai
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    Dec 31st 2014, 8:41 AM

    in some ways giving people hope and fighting back against the banks helps. there are many groups and hubs around the country. you are never alone we will help you.

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