New details were added (first version was published at 00:24)
Libya's Interior Minister Abdul Fatah Younis resigned from his post on Tuesday, saying he had "joined the revolution" against leader Moamer Gaddafi, dpa reported.
Speaking to the broadcaster al-Arabiya, the military general described as Gaddafi's former number two called on the Libyan army to meet protesters' demands.
"Our plan now is to support the youth in Tripoli so that it is liberated like Benghazi was," Younis said.
He claimed he had not ordered security forces to open fire on protesters, and offered condolences to the hundreds who have died since anti-government protests began last week.
"I begged Gaddafi not to send planes, I called him. Now of course we don't speak, I have joined the revolution," Younis said.
Younis said was "shocked and disappointed" by Gaddafi's speech earlier in the evening.
In a televised address to the nation, Gaddafi defiantly said he would not step down and threatened to use force against protesters.
"I wish Gaddafi had instead said a prayer for the fallen youth in his last days in office," Younis said.