Al-Jazeera journalist killed in Benghazi, network says

by alaaron | March 13, 2011 at 02:56 am

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As the media turns its attention to Japan, Qaddafi's forces are on the rampage in Libya, continuing to win back more territory from rebels.

Near Benghazi, Al Jazeera cameraman Ali Hassan Al Jaber was murdered in an apparent ambush, becoming the first journalist killed in Libya in the wake of the violence.

Ali Hassan al Jaber was returning to Benghazi, an opposition stronghold in the east, from a nearby town where he had reported on an opposition protest when "unknown fighters opened fire on a car he and his colleagues were traveling in," Al-Jazeera reported on its English-language website.

The cameraman and another person were wounded. Al Jaber was rushed to a hospital, but did not survive, the network said.

Wadah Khanfar, the director-general of Al Jazeera, said the network "will not remain silent" and will pursue those behind the ambush through legal channels.

He said that the killing came after "an unprecedented campaign" against the network by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

"Al Jazeera condemns the cowardly crime, which comes as part of the Libyan regime's malicious campaign targeting Al Jazeera and its staff," the network said in a statement.

"Al Jazeera reiterates the assault cannot dent its resolve to continue its mission, professionally enlightening the public of the unfolding events in Libya and elsewhere.

"Al Jazeera stresses it will relentlessly prosecute and bring to justice all perpetrators and their accomplices."