Amid reports of massacre against Libyan people, long-time ruler Moamer Gaddafi appeared on state television in a bid to dismiss reports that he had fled.
Amid reports of massacre against Libyan people, long-time ruler Moamer Gaddafi appeared on state television in a bid to dismiss reports that he had fled amid the unrest sweeping the country.
Speaking to state TV from outside a ruined building, he said "I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela," after rumors that he had flown to Caracas.
“I am going to meet with the youth in Green Square" in downtown Tripoli, Gaddafi said in what state television billed as a live broadcast from outside the strongman's home.
"It's just to prove that I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela and to deny television reports,” Gaddafi added describing foreign news channels as “dogs”.
Gaddafi's brief 22-second statement came after security forces and protesters clashed in the capital for a second night.
RAIDS ON PROTESTERS
Eyewitness reported that military aircraft had fired on protesters in Tripoli.
Residents of two districts in Tripoli said by telephone there had been a massacre, with gunmen "firing indiscriminately" in Tajura district.
Another in Fashlum said helicopters had landed what he called African mercenaries who opened fire on anyone in the street, causing a large number of deaths.
Human rights groups say the Libyan government's crackdown has killed between 200 and 400.
But Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam said the aircraft had been used only to bomb army bases which had defected to the opposition.
Earlier, the newly established General Committee for Defence said its forces would cleanse Libya of anti-government elements.
A statement described the protesters as "terrorist gangs made up mostly of misguided youths", who had been exploited and fed "hallucinogenic pills" by people following foreign agendas.
EASTERN CITIES FALL TO PROTESTERS
On the other hand, Benghazi, Libya's second city and an opposition stronghold in the east, fell to anti-regime demonstrators after military units deserted, the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (IFHR) reported.
IFHR said protesters also controlled Sirte, Tobruk in the east, as well as Misrata, Khoms, Tarhounah, Zenten, Al-Zawiya and Zouara, closer to the capital.
