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What events sparked protests in Benghazi in February 2011?
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In February 2011, protests erupted in Benghazi primarily due to the arrest of a human rights lawyer named Fethi Tarbel. These demonstrations occurred amidst a broader wave of popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa.123
The situation escalated rapidly when Libyan security forces responded to the rallies with water cannons and live fire, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. This violent crackdown by the regime further fueled the unrest, which soon evolved into an armed rebellion against the four-decade rule of Muammar al-Qaddafi.1243