Gaddafi launches counterattack

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have launched a counterattack on towns controlled by the opposition. NATO has announced that there will be no military intervention in Libya. Gaddafi launches counterattack The situation in the North African country is very confusing and unstable. Gaddafi’s forces have launched counterattacks on important cities near the capital of Tripoli, demonstrators are consolidating their power in the eastern parts of the country while foreign nationals are being evacuated. Gaddafi’s forces have attacked opposition units which control the town of Misurata, about 200 kilometers east of Tripoli. An eyewitness said several people died in the attack. Libyan army, loyal to the leader, today attacked a mosque in the city of Az Zawiyah, 50 kilometers west of Tripoli, with antiaircraft missiles and automatic weapons. The Associated Press has reported that a large number of demonstrators were killed in the attack. The Libyan People’s Committee has called on the demonstrators to surrender their weapons and offered rewards for those who reveal the names of the leaders. Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim has stated that Al-Qaeda has established an Islamic emirate in town of Derna and that it is run by a former Guantanamo prisoner. Local population, however, claims that it is not true and that it is the government’s attempt to scare Europe, the AFP reported. Al-Qaeda has called on the Muslims to support an “uprising in Libya”. Gaddafi’s third son Saadi Gaddafi told the Financial Times that his father would play a key role in every new regime that might be formed. “My father would stay as the big father who advises. After this positive earthquake, we have to do something for Libya. We have to bring in new blood to govern our country,” he was quoted as saying. This was the first time that a member of the ruling family spoke about the time after Gaddafi. The Libyan leader has promised, however, that he will fight until his last breath to keep the power he has held for four decades. Libyan Justice Minister Mustafa Mohamed Abdeljalil, who resigned in protest against violence, claims that Gaddafi would rather kill himself like Adolf Hitler than resign. Demonstrators in the town of Benghazi (Beta) Inconsistent information about number of victims The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has announced that at least 700 people were killed in Libya so far. Human Rights Watch claims that there are 300 victims, while Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini believes that the information that 1,000 persons were killed is credible, although incomplete. Frattini has warned of danger of an emigrant exodus, since 300,000 Libyans could escape to Europe if the conflicts continue. A UN spokesperson has stated that about 5,000 people arrived at the border with Tunisia and another 15,000 at the border with Egypt.

Gaddafi launches counterattack

The situation in the North African country is very confusing and unstable.

Gaddafi’s forces have launched counterattacks on important cities near the capital of Tripoli, demonstrators are consolidating their power in the eastern parts of the country while foreign nationals are being evacuated.

Gaddafi’s forces have attacked opposition units which control the town of Misurata, about 200 kilometers east of Tripoli. An eyewitness said several people died in the attack.

Libyan army, loyal to the leader, today attacked a mosque in the city of Az Zawiyah, 50 kilometers west of Tripoli, with antiaircraft missiles and automatic weapons. The Associated Press has reported that a large number of demonstrators were killed in the attack.

The Libyan People’s Committee has called on the demonstrators to surrender their weapons and offered rewards for those who reveal the names of the leaders.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim has stated that Al-Qaeda has established an Islamic emirate in town of Derna and that it is run by a former Guantanamo prisoner.

Local population, however, claims that it is not true and that it is the government’s attempt to scare Europe, the AFP reported.

Al-Qaeda has called on the Muslims to support an “uprising in Libya”.

Gaddafi’s third son Saadi Gaddafi told the Financial Times that his father would play a key role in every new regime that might be formed.

“My father would stay as the big father who advises. After this positive earthquake, we have to do something for Libya. We have to bring in new blood to govern our country,” he was quoted as saying.

This was the first time that a member of the ruling family spoke about the time after Gaddafi.

The Libyan leader has promised, however, that he will fight until his last breath to keep the power he has held for four decades.

Libyan Justice Minister Mustafa Mohamed Abdeljalil, who resigned in protest against violence, claims that Gaddafi would rather kill himself like Adolf Hitler than resign.

Inconsistent information about number of victims

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has announced that at least 700 people were killed in Libya so far.

Human Rights Watch claims that there are 300 victims, while Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini believes that the information that 1,000 persons were killed is credible, although incomplete.

Frattini has warned of danger of an emigrant exodus, since 300,000 Libyans could escape to Europe if the conflicts continue.

A UN spokesperson has stated that about 5,000 people arrived at the border with Tunisia and another 15,000 at the border with Egypt.