Timeline: Violence in Libya
Tripoli: Key events in Libya, where major unrest against the regime of Moamer Kadhafi broke out on February 15.
- February 15-16:
Protests erupt in Libya's second city of Benghazi, days after the resignation of president Hosni Mubarak in neighbouring Egypt.
- Thursday, February 17:
At least eight deaths reported in and near Benghazi. Calls go out on the Internet site Facebook for a 'Day of Rage' against Gaddafi's regime.
- Friday, February 18:
Clashes reported spreading outside Benghazi, where a radio station is burned down.
- Saturday, February 19:
At least 12 killed as the army fires on a crowd in Benghazi. Clashes spread closer to Tripoli.
- Sunday, February 20:
Protesters sack the headquarters of state television in Tripoli, and set government buildings on fire.
The Libyan authorities announce the arrest of dozens of Arab nationals from a 'network' that they say is aiming to destabilise Libya.
In Cairo, Libya's envoy to the Arab League says he has resigned to 'join the revolution'.
- Monday, February 21:
With Kadhafi still silent, his son Seif al-Islam goes on TV to warn Libya faces civil war and 'rivers of blood'.
Gunfire is heard in the capital for the first time since protests began.
A series of diplomats, including Tripoli's ambassador to New Delhi and the deputy ambassador to the United Nations in New York, say they no longer support the regime.
Two Libyan fighter pilots land their jets in Malta and say they have defected after being ordered to attack protesters.
Late on Monday Gaddafi makes a brief appearance on state television to deny that he has fled the country.
- Tuesday, February 22:
In a defiant speech on television, Gaddafi orders his forces to crush the uprising and vows to fight to the last.
Benghazi is under the control of anti-regime demonstrators, as are Sirte, Tobruk in the east, as well as Misrata, Khoms, Tarhounah, Zenten, Al-Zawiya and Zouara, closer to the capital.
Thousands of Egyptian and Tunisian nationals seek to escape from the violence, while several European states begin evacuating their nationals.
Holding an emergency summit in Cairo, the Arab League says it has barred Libya from attending its meetings until it responds to the protesters' demands.
Libya says 300 people have died in the violence, including 111 soldiers. The International Federation for Human Rights puts the toll at between 300 and 400.
- Wednesday, February 23:
Peru becomes the first nation to suspend diplomatic ties with Libya over the violence.
The UN Human Rights Council says it will hold a special session on Friday to discuss the crisis.
Italy reports that Libya's eastern province of Cyrenaica, which includes Benghazi, is no longer under Gaddafi's control.
All Libyan ports and terminals are temporarily closed, the CMA CGM shipping group says.
The French oil firm Total says it is 'starting to suspend' some of its operations in Libya. World oil prices head rise further, with Brent crude trading at almost $108 per barrel in London.
Post new comment