Dubai: The Libyan regime's green flag was removed from the country's consulate in Dubai on Tuesday after approximately 100 demonstrators entered the consulate compound calling for an end to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Approximately 200 people gathered around and inside the compound of the Libyan consulate starting at 11 am this morning, with some successfully entering the compound before police special forces shut the gate.
The Libyan flag was taken down after 2pm, reportedly by consulate staff, causing confusion as to whether the consul general has resigned from his position. The consulate had not issued a statement or responded to Gulf News' calls by the time of going to print.
Demonstrators said that they were initially given permission to enter the compound by consulate officials “to have discussions with Libyan diplomats” after they were notified by the police that unauthorised public gatherings were illegal.
“We had gathered outside earlier but moved inside the compound when police told us to disperse,” said a protester.
“We want the consul general to clear stand as to what his position is with regards to the Gaddafi regime, and we call for an end to this brutal regime,” said Mohammad Younis Al Toumi, who was negotiating with the police to continue protesting.
Earlier in the day, some demonstrators were reported to have entered the consulate, brought out a picture frame of the embattled Libyan leader, and smashed it.
As the numbers started to swell, police shut the gate and riot police dressed in black and armed with batons entered the compound surrounding the demonstrators as other riot police guarded the gate. The riot police forces were not wearing helmets or carrying shields.
The scene outside the consulate remained casual, and some riot police were engaging in friendly conversations with protesters attempting to enter the compound.
Tension ensued among protesters inside the compound however as some thought they were being locked in the conulate compound. A number of those inside the compound called their friends and family outside saying they had been locked in.
Some inside were heard chanting for the execution of Gaddafi. Many protesters cried as they spoke to the media, imploring foreign governments to help stop “the massacres against the Libyan people”.
A police official negotiated with demonstrators inside the compound, reportedly telling them that they would be allowed to stage protests once authorisation was obtained from the authorities. Applause broke out among the protesters after the police convinced them to leave the compound peacefully.
A number of the demonstrators were holding the flag of the Libyan kingdom that has become a popular replacement flag for those protesting the ruling regime in the country.
“My husband brings these flags from Europe and we keep them at home,” said a female protester who had come with her children, also draped in the old flags. The flag was used between 1951 and 1969.
Two Libyans standing outside the consulate said they were visiting Dubai and “got stuck here when violence broke out in Libya”.
“Since we're stuck here we thought we'd come and join the protests,” said one of them who did not want to be named. Protesters vowed to come back until Gaddafi left Libya.
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