Libyans pray for security on Eid

TRIPOLI - Libyans' nationwide celebration for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Muslims' fasting month of Ramadan, was somehow marred by two car bombings that hit the capital Tripoli just before the Eid prayers early Sunday and left two killed and three injured.

The first car bomb exploded at dawn next to a military college on Omar Mokhtar Avenue, killing one of the interior ministry's supreme security committee personnel and moderately injuring his colleague, as they were patrolling near the site of the explosion.

The second blast occurred near the interior ministry building, killing one person and wounding two others.

Omar Alkhadrawi, an official of the interior ministry, confirmed the twin bombings and casualties. "Vandals are trying to terrorize people, but the security forces are ready to severely punish those cowards," the official said, stressing that the situation is under control.

After the two blasts, Abu Minjil Mosque in central Tripoli witnessed the influx of hundreds of Libyans to perform the Eid prayers amid tight security measures.

A cleric at the mosque, Yusuf bin Hamed, called all Libyans for tolerance and forgiveness to advance towards a reconciliation that would lead the country to safety.

Mohammed Bin Osman, a 40-year-old teacher at the University of Tripoli, told Xinhua, "We heard about the two explosions today. In my point of view, they will never terrorize our people at all, because the Libyan people have just said their words and won their rights by overcoming the injustice."

Soliman Yacob, 50, who came from the Nalut city and is living in Tripoli, expressed hopes for a "new Libya."

In the Martyears' Square in Zawia city, 45 km west of Tripoli, thousands of people gathered to perform the Eid prayers, as cleric Thamer Krima called Libyans to "forgive the killing of people, and keep away from revenge."

Krima stressed the importance of maintaining security and stability of the country, saying that many of those "sick souls" are trying to spread chaos and discord among citizens.

Jihad Altarhuni, a 37-year-old engineer at the ministry of industry, called the newly-elected General National Congress to strengthen the security forces' capacity and urge concerned ministries to come up with plans to enhance security.

The General National Congress, which was elected in early July, assumed the political authority from the National Transitional Council on August 8.

Abul-Qasim Shiwa, a 48-year-old doctor in Zawia hospital, said criminal acts such as the car bombings could not affect the will of Libyans. "We must stand united against vandals and criminals who try to undermine our security."