Government forces shot dead at least two protesters in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Friday, TV stations reported, as a popular uprising against Muammar Gaddafi closed in on his main power base.
Gaddafi appeared on the central Green Square to make an impassioned speech of defiance, after witnesses described swirling clashes on streets all around the city between security forces loyal to the 68-year-old leader and crowds of protesters.
Al Jazeera TV said two people had been killed and several wounded in heavy shooting in several districts.
Al Arabiya TV said seven people had been killed.
By around 3 pm GMT, some protests had been dispersed but others were continuing, a resident from central Tripoli told Reuters.
Gaddafi appeared to address tens of thousands of his supporters massed on Tripoli’s Green Square in a speech broadcast live on state TV.
“We will fight if they want,” he said, gesturing from a high stone wall. “We are ready to triumph over the enemy ... I am in the middle of the crowds ... We will defeat any foreign attempt, as we have defeated Italian colonialism and American raids.”
Raising the prospect of wider civil conflict in Libya’s tribal society, he also said he might arm tribesmen in future.
Tripoli and the surrounding area, where Gaddafi’s forces had managed to stifle earlier protests, appeared to be his last main stronghold as the revolt that put the east under rebel control also reportedly advanced through the west.
—Reuters