ASIAN FLAVOUR A ZESTY SALAD THAT PAIRS WELL WITH FISH {page 19}
WILLIAM SHATNER RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL {page 3}
OTTAWA
MATTHEW PERRY HEADS FOR REHAB {page 14}
Monday, May 16, 2011 www.metronews.ca
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JOE LOFARO/METRO
Scuffle in Ottawa over Libya RCMP officer falls on his way to break up protesters Sustains minor injury
An RCMP officer tries to restrain a protester wielding a plastic flagpole against pro-Gadhafi demonstrators Friday. For exclusive photos of the violent confrontation, go to metronews.ca/ottawa.
RCMP have laid no charges after a man flailed at people with a plastic stick in a violent scuffle Friday outside the Libyan Embassy. A sidewalk on Metcalfe Street outside the embassy turned into a battleground forcing the RCMP to barricade the area between Slater and Albert streets. Shortly after 2 p.m., about 10 people rallied on Metcalfe Street outside of Starbucks against the NATO mission in Libya and chanted in support of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The group was quickly outnumbered by a larger anti-Gadhafi group that gathered across the street. At about 2:30 p.m., a man from the anti-Gadhafi group crossed the street and attempted to whip members of the pro-Gadhafi group with what appeared to be a plastic shaft from a Libyan flag.
The man took several swings at demonstrators before a female RCMP officer restrained him. Members of the anti-Gadhafi group swiftly crossed the street to calm him down and return him to the other side. Tensions calmed but the two crowds continued shouting through their megaphones until about 4 p.m. Const. Suzanne Lefort said no arrests were made as a result of the Friday protests. During the altercation, however, a male RCMP officer was injured and fell to the ground, clutching his right leg. He was transported in an ambulance shortly after the incident. “It was not caused by any of the protesters and I don’t have any news concerning his condition,” said Lefort, “but it was a minor injury.” JOE LOFARO