Anti-government protests spread to Libya

Hundreds of Libyans calling for the government's ouster clashed with security forces firing rubber bullets and water cannons early Wednesday in the country's second-largest city as Egypt-inspired unrest spread to the country long ruled by Moammar Gadhafi.

The protest in Benghazi was triggered by the arrest Tuesday of a Libyan activist but quickly took on an anti-government tone, witnesses and activists said. The protest was relatively small in size, but it signaled anti-government activists have been emboldened by the recent wave of uprisings.

Activists using Facebook and Twitter have called for nationwide demonstrations on Thursday to call for Gadhafi's ouster, a constitution and comprehensive political and economic reforms.

[link to www.washingtonpost.com]