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Turmoil in Tripoli after Gaddafi denies having fled

Arab World Materials 22 February 2011 12:59 (UTC +04:00)
Protests were expected to continue for a seventh day Tuesday after Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi appeared on state television overnight to refute reports that he had fled the capital
Turmoil in Tripoli after Gaddafi denies having fled

Protests were expected to continue for a seventh day Tuesday after Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi appeared on state television overnight to refute reports that he had fled the capital, DPA reported.

The chaotic situation in Libya, where the death toll from security forces putting down the uprising was already in the low hundreds, will be discussed later Monday in a closed session of the United Nations Security Council in New York.

Meanwhile, a string of overseas Libyan diplomats have resigned in protest at the regime's crackdown.

Appearing briefly on television overnight, Gaddafi - sitting in a car in Tripoli holding an umbrella - said: "I am in Tripoli. I am not in Venezuela."

The footage of about 20 seconds was broadcast after 24 hours of speculation that Libya's leader of 41 years had left for South America.

The death toll from the protests calling for Gaddafi's ouster is expected to have reached at least 300 in the northern city of Benghazi and 150 in Tripoli, according to witnesses.

Other cities are also reported deaths but casualty figures for areas beyond the capital are difficult to independently verify due to the government's clampdown on communications and travel.

Unconfirmed reports speak of foreign militias gunning down protestors, snipers in the capital and the Libyan air force chafing protestors from the air.

On Monday two Libyan fighter jets landed in Malta, with their pilots defecting in protest at the command to attack demonstrators.

Several high level Libyan diplomats and ambassadors have condemned the violent attacks on protesters.

The demonstrations follow popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, where long-time rulers were ousted.

The Egyptian Army has announced that the border to Libya would be open for anyone who wants to flee and Egyptian aid convoys are at the border to assist.

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