Reports said that a popular uprising erupted in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Eyewitnesses from Libya's second largest city reported clashes between security forces and locals. The security men tried to disperse hundreds of protesters using water cannon. The protesters reacted by throwing stones. There have been unconfirmed reports early Wednesday about the death of one demonstrator and the transfer of dozens of wounded to hospitals.
The Libyan security forces were mobilized to the city in huge numbers during the past few days in anticipation of possible popular protests along the lines of what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. The information about the uprising in Benghazi coincided with the demand raised by opposition forces for the resignation of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a peaceful transition towards a pluralistic society.
Libya's security forces are on high alert for several days after activists called via Facebook to hold a "Day of Anger" on Thursday. Bloggers said that security forces arrested last week in Benghazi a blogger called Jalal Alkuafi, aged 39 years.
In order to ease tensions, Libyan leader Gaddafi met earlier this week with popular activities from the city of Benghazi.
