Report: Libyan Soldiers Executed For Refusing To Fire On Rebel Targets

 

The current upheaval in Libya is in some respects similar to last month’s uprising in Egypt. But from a western media-centric perspective, there is at least one very significant difference. The perilous situation in Libya — combined with a regime with a anti-Western history — have made reports from actual areas of conflict nearly impossible. Which makes Al-Jazeera’s report that Libyan soldiers had been executed for refusing to fire on rebel troops interesting on a number of levels. The graphic video appears to be compelling evidence, but it is labeled as “rebel video” and cannot be confirmed by Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera reports:

Al Jazeera has received pictures that purportedly show Libyan army officers killed for refusing to fire on the rebels, evidence of how Gaddafi deals with “traitors”.

It is claimed the soldiers refused to shoot rebels in the mountainous region west of the capital, Tripoli. The pictures were sent to Al Jazeera by a rebel group in the area.

A survivor of the killings says the men were rounded-up, their legs tied before being shot in the head or back from close range.

It is impossible to independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Watch the video report below (warning, some images are graphic):

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Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of Mediaite.com. He is also a Peabody Award-winning television producer of non-fiction narrative programming as well as a terrific dancer and preparer of grilled meats.