Libyan security minister defects

Libya's Interior Minister Abdel Fattah Younes al Abidi has announced his defection and support for the "February 17 revolution…

Libya's Interior Minister Abdel Fattah Younes al Abidi has announced his defection and support for the
"February 17 revolution", news channel Al Jazeera reported this evening.

The channel aired amateur video footage showing Abidi sitting at his desk and reading a statement that also urged the Libyan army to join the people and their "legitimate demands".

"I hereby announce that I have abandoned all my duties to respond to the February 17 revolution based on my total conviction and the legitimacy of their claims ... I urge the Libyan army to ... serve the people and support the February 17 revolution," he said.

Agencies