BBC news 2011-09-10 加文本

BBC news 2011-09-10

BBC News with Gaenor Howells

Rebel forces in Libya say they've now entered Bani Walid, one of only four towns still loyal to Colonel Gaddafi. At least four people have been killed. The BBC's Richard Galpin is travelling with the rebels.

Throughout the day, pick-up trucks carrying heavily armed rebel fighters sped along the road towards Bani Walid, the men inside flashing the V for victory sign and shouting "God is great." The rebels say further rockets and artillery attacks on their positions today meant they had to respond and so the full battle for Bani Walid began. According to the rebels, there are up to 700 Gaddafi fighters inside the town, including snipers. It's not clear at this stage how long it'll take the rebels to take full control of the town.

Thousands of people have taken part in a march east of the Libyan capital Tripoli to commemorate those killed on 25 February in the early days of the uprising against Colonel Gaddafi. Today's event also turned into a victory parade as hundreds of vehicles loaded with people of all ages headed into Tripoli, as our correspondent Peter Biles reports.

The frenzy of excitement was barely containable. Through the late afternoon after Friday prayers, residents of Tripoli joined the procession from Tajura. Their vehicles clogged both sides of the main road. Men and women of all ages turned out; many brought their young children. All of them waved the red, black and green flag of the new Libya. Requests to ease up on the celebratory gunfire were ignored.

Anti-government demonstrators in Syria have held another day of protest in many parts of the country following Friday prayers, calling for international protection from the security forces. Activists say at least 17 people have been wounded across the country. Foreign journalists aren't allowed in Syria. Owen Bennett-Jones sent this report from Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon.

In the Kurdish northeast, in the south near Jordan, in Idlib near the Turkish border, Homs, Hama and the Damascus suburbs - all over Syria - protesters have been out demanding change, and once again they have failed to mobilise people in the centres of the two biggest cities - Aleppo and Damascus. Protest organisers have tried to give each week's demonstrations a common theme, and this time round it's the demand for the first time for greater international protection.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has called for humanitarian corridors in Somalia to be protected by African peacekeepers so that aid could reach people struck by drought and famine in rebel-held areas. Mr Meles was speaking at a Kenyan summit on the crisis. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, said aid was increasing to all areas of the country.

World News from the BBC

Security has been stepped up in New York and Washington over a possible bomb threat to coincide with the 10th anniversary on Sunday of the 9/11 attacks. Police have increased patrols at possible targets and have been searching vehicles, causing big traffic jams. The American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the threat was credible and involved al-Qaeda, but that it was unconfirmed.

Hundreds of Egyptian activists are protesting outside a building housing the Israeli embassy in Cairo. The activists have brought down parts of a wall built by authorities to protect the building and are attempting to destroy the entire barrier. The group of activists broke away from a larger demonstration in Tahrir Square, from where Bethany Bell reports.

Protesters here in Tahrir Square are angry at the slow pace of change in Egypt. They are calling for a clear roadmap to democracy, and they want to see an end to military trials for civilians. This is the first major protest in Tahrir Square since July when security forces cleared the square of people who'd camped out here for weeks demanding reform.

The European Central Bank's chief economist Juergen Stark has resigned over what's being seen as differences on how to handle the eurozone financial crisis. Analysts say Mr Stark opposed the Central Bank's policy of buying the bonds of debt-ridden countries. However, he's also reported to be unhappy about senior banking personnel changes. European stock markets saw substantial falls, a trend that continued in New York.

The police in Austria have released a man they'd been investigating on suspicion of imprisoning and sexually abusing his two daughters over a period of 40 years. The man, now in his 80s, was freed after the women changed their story and withdrew their accusations.

BBC World Service News