Libyan ruler’s son says it’s time for action, vows never to give up as forces loyal to Gaddafi intensify counter-offensive
It’s time for action…
According to Libyan long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, it’s now time for action to put an end to the demonstrations against the rule of his father, whose forces are making use of all possible weapons to prevent the protesters from continuing their free movement.
Meanwhile, Gaddafi’s forces intensified their counter-offensive on Friday to retake ground from opposition activists who appealed to foreign powers to impose a no-fly zone to stop the onslaught.
GADDAFI TROOPS LAUNCH ASSAULT ON OIL PORT
Troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appeared to have regained the momentum in the three-week old conflict and if their push proceeds apace it could overtake sluggish international efforts to halt Gaddafi.
The sound of explosions and small arms fire came from Ras Lanuf on Friday as government troops landed from the sea backed by tanks and air power fought to recapture the oil port town. A large column of black smoke billowed from storage tanks at an oil installation, television pictures showed.
Protesters withdrew their last main checkpoint in Ras Lanuf on Friday, setting it up 15-20 km (10-13 miles) to the east, but then counter-attacked and said Gaddafi's forces had withdrawn from the residential area of Ras Lanuf. "War is always backwards and forwards. God willing, we go forwards again," said Jomaa Irjai, 22, clutching his AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle close to the frontline.
Gaddafi's warplanes were also carrying out air strikes unhindered by anti-aircraft guns mounted on the back of pick-up trucks. Many fighters were angry at international inaction. "Where is the West? How are they helping? What are they doing," shouted one angry fighter.
GADDAFI’S SON WANTS ACTION
Meanwhile, and in an alarming statement, Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam told the fighters they faced a full-scale assault to crush their uprising. "It's time for action. We are moving now," he told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
Asked if the government would step up its military campaign, he said: "Time is out now. It's time for action ... We gave them two weeks (for negotiations)."
Speaking in unusually tough language, the London-educated younger Gaddafi said Libya was confident of victory. "We will never ever give up. We will never ever surrender. This is our country. We fight here in Libya," said Saif al-Islam, who has been described as the Western-friendly face of Libya.
"The French, the Europeans, they should talk to the Libyan people...If they want to support the militia, do it. But I tell you: you are going to lose. We will win," Saif al-Islam said. "And we are not afraid of the American fleet, NATO, France, Europe. This is our country. We are here. We will die here." He added: "Libya is not a piece of cake. We are not a Mickey Mouse."
Speaking at a Tripoli compound designed in the shape of a luxury tent, Saif al-Islam, 38, described fighters determined to end his father's 41-year rule as terrorists and armed gangsters. He said thousands of Libyans had volunteered to fight them. "Now it's too late for them. We are so united, we are so strong. And Libya will be free and peaceful soon," he said as Gaddafi supporters shouted defiant slogans in the background.
