US tells Libya’s long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi it’s time to go as revolution against his rule continues

After ten days of suspicious reactions to the crimes against humanity committed by the Libyan regime, the United States reportedly told Libya’s long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi it’s time to go as protesters against his rule were pursuing their revolution and controlling more areas of the country.

GADDAFI HAS LOST LEGITIMACY
"When a leader's only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now," aides to President Barack Obama said in describing a call on Libya he had with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also showed a harder tone from Washington, which lately warmed to Gaddafi in recent years after decades of sanctions. "He has lost the confidence of his people and he should go without further bloodshed and violence."

PROTESTERS CONTROL OIL FIELDS
Meanwhile, reports said that protesters have gained control over the country's oil fields as thousands of Libyans, demanding the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi's regime, are advancing towards the capital Tripoli.

The oil fields are no longer under the control of Gaddafi, Libya al-Youm newspaper reported on Saturday. Protesters in eastern Libya said earlier on Friday that most oil fields in the towns of Ras Lanuf and Brega are under their control and soldiers who have defected are helping protesters to secure the port.

"Nearly all the oilfields in Libya east of Ras Lanuf are now controlled by the people and the government has no control in this area," said Abdessalam Najib, a petroleum engineer at the Libyan company Agico.

OPPOSITION IN CONTROL OF ZAWIYAH
Reuters said on Sunday that armed men opposed to the rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are in control of the city of Zawiyah, about 50 km (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli.