TODAYSNETNEWS: LIBYA - AFRICAN WORKERS HIDING in BENGHAZI (UNHCR)

TODAYSNETNEWS: 10 March 2011 -- UNTV: BENGHAZI, LIBYA -- These men live in the shadows in this abandoned building in Benghazi's industrial zone. It wasn't always like this for Africans in Libya, but when President Muammar al-Qadhafi reportedly used African mercenaries to kill his own people, many now have a different attitude.

They fear anyone coming by, anyone knocking at the door. Their best defence is to hide. This man had an open and normal life in Libya. Not any more.

They live in this wasteland, in poverty and squalor. It reeks of garbage and stagnant water. But this is where they feel safest. This man, afraid to reveal his identity, says he was beaten.

Africans were for years a vital part of Libya's workforce. They did mainly manual labour, or worked in the service industry. But now they are outright targets they say.

They want to leave Libya. But there is no simple or safe way to get out. So they stay in hiding, to survive and to wait until the political situation changes.

SOUNDBITE (English) Bethel Ubanwa, Nigerian worker:
"I am living here because this is a hideout, you understand. So many of my friends are living in the town. They have some many injuries from different places. So I guess this is the right place for me to live. Not money is the problem but to secure my life."

SOUNDBITE (English) Courage Ehiorobo, Nigerian worker:
"I saw some Libya guys they were chasing me. Dangerous weapon with cut glass. I would be cut and that would be the end of my life. That was far back. The day before yesterday some of my workers were going home. Also some Libya guys attacked them on the way, took their phone, took their money and beat them mercilessly."

SOUNDBITE (English) Bethel Ubanwa, Nigerian worker:
"Their leader, we heard, used black foreigners to fight against his people. Because of that they have to treat us so badly, because we are blacks also."

SOUNDBITE (French) Anonymous African worker:
"The reason is because they have the strength at the moment. They can do whatever they want. Everyone is attacked here. Even when you go to the shop (to buy something). Every time somebody will attack the people with arms, pistols, machete, knifes."

SOUNDBITE (French) Anonymous African worker:
"Everyone is armed presently, everyone. So they can do whatever they can. There are no police, no authority. So they are free to do whatever they want. I know that they were looking for the worst, even before today. We live here, we know them. These people, they are not good."

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