On February 16, 2011 (January 14, 2011 in the lunar calendar), riots occurred in Libya. On February 15, anti-government protests broke out in Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya. Many young people shouted "Down with corrupt elements" and others shouted slogans against President Gaddafi. Activists used social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to call on people to participate, and organizers said they would also launch a large-scale protest on the 17th. The 17th marks the fifth anniversary of the killing of 18 protesters by police in Libya, and other demonstrations are expected to take place that day. On February 16, 2011, hundreds of Libya people held a protest in Benghazi and clashed with local police and government supporters. The "riots in Libya" officially occurred. On February 17, demonstrations broke out in several cities including Benghazi. In the eastern town of Aibaida, witnesses said that military and police snipers were ambushed on rooftops, killing many demonstrators. Libya's state television broadcast television footage of Gaddafi meeting with supporters, and government supporters held rallies in several cities including the capital. The situation in Benghazi deteriorated sharply, as Libya troops fired mortar shells and fired machine guns at protesters. The United States, Britain and other countries issued statements condemning the violent acts of the Libya government. Qatar Al Jazeera said Gaddafi had left Libya. Gaddafi's son has since said that his father is still in the country and is supported by the military, and warned of the danger of civil war in Libya. According to the Associated Press, protesters claimed to have control of Benghazi. Anti-government unrest continued to spread, with clashes in the Green Square in the capital Tripoli, and witnesses even reported that demonstrators were shot at. Libya leader Gaddafi. The international community has been exerting pressure on Libya leader Gaddafi for several days, and some Western countries have called on the United Nations to impose sanctions on Libya. On February 23, 2011, riots in Libya killed 300 people and many senior government officials resigned. The protest was sparked by news that negotiations between the Libya government and a committee representing the families of victims of the 1996 AbuSalim prison incident in Libya had broken down. At that time, hundreds of prisoners in the prison were shot and killed by security forces. At present, the government has agreed to pay compensation, but the committee has called for punishment of the suspects. Another account said that several opposition groups in Libya held protests on the 14th, demanding that President Gaddafi resign and transfer power peacefully, which triggered a larger-scale riot. Video on the Internet showed protesters calling for broader political and economic reforms in Libya.