Gunshots heard in capital amid reports of army units defecting in Benghazi and tribal leaders criticising government.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will fight a popular revolt to “the last man standing,” one of his sons said on Monday as people in the capital joined protests for the first time after days of violent unrest in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli’s streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition as oil exporter Libya endured one of the bloodiest revolts to convulse the Arab world.
Speaking on state television on Monday, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi said: “Our spirits are high and the leader Muammar Gaddafi is leading the battle in Tripoli, and we are behind him as is the Libyan army.
“We will keep fighting until the last man standing, even to the last woman standing … we will not leave Libya to the Italians or the Turks.”
In the coastal city of Benghazi protesters appeared to be largely in control after forcing troops and police to retreat to a compound. Government buildings were set ablaze and ransacked.
Soldiers defect
In the first sign of serious unrest in the capital, thousands of protesters clashed with Gaddafi supporters.
Gunfire rang out in the night and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, some of whom threw stones at Gaddafi posters.
Human Rights Watch said at least 223 people have been killed in five days of violence.
True Discernment 
Leave a Reply