Thursday, October 20, 2011

Gadhafi's weapons of war become makeshift museum

John Boxley/NBC News

Men inspect a weapon left by Moammer Gadhafi's forces in Misrata, Libya at a makeshift museum on Sunday.

By John Boxley, NBC News producer

MISRATA, Libya ? A tour of downtown Misrata is a vivid reminder of the impact war has had on Libya.

Devastation is all around, with bombed out buildings,?? torched cars and bullet-riddled houses.

For more than three months, revolutionary fighters battled against forces loyal to former Libyan strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi here in downtown Misrata. The battle claimed hundreds of lives, but the rebel fighters emerged victorious.

The fighting is now over, but driving around town, we came across an unusual sight: Staged in front of a vegetable market stood an assortment of military weaponry.

There was everything ? mortars, rocket launchers, cannons, tanks ? all on display like a museum.

Grandy Maiteeg, our local fixer, told us that they were ?Gadhafi's weapons.?


John Boxley / NBC News

Some of the Gadhafi's weapons left behind in Misrata that are now on display in the city's center.

Apparently Gadhafi?s forces fled Misrata in such a hurry that they left many of their weapons behind.

So volunteers went street by street, gathering them up. Once they were all collected, the question was asked, what do we do with them?

They decided to put them on display on the city's main thoroughfare for all to see.

Aliywa Hdy, one of the organizers of the makeshift museum, told me, "We want people to know what Gadhafi used against the Libya people."

John Boxley / NBC News

Libyans examine a make-shift museum of weapons left behind by Gadhafi's forces in Misrata on Sunday.

Each day crowds gather for a look at the arsenal. They take pictures while the children climb on tanks and cannons as if this were a playground.

But this is not all fun and games. For some, this exhibit is difficult to look at.

Ibrahaim Elglay stopped by to take pictures. "Seeing these weapons,? he said in a somber tone as he turned to look at a destroyed building behind him, "and seeing the damage they caused, it?s painful to see."

Imed Mohammad Bennor's home was damaged during the fighting. He said the display makes him sad, but at the same time it makes him happy, because, he said: "We won.?

John Boxley / NBC News

A Libyan climbs up on top of a tank on Sunday that was left behind by Gadhafi's forces when they fled Misrata.

But Grandy Maiteeg has a different view.? "I hate this place," he said. The 25-year-old lost a lot of friends during the conflict, and he said the exhibit brings back too many painful memories.

The armaments sit on display, a reminder of an important and difficult chapter in this city's history.
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Source: http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/17/8366611-gadhafis-weapons-of-war-become-makeshift-museum

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