Anti-government protesters have taken control of the city of al-Zawiyah, west of Tripoli, witnesses said Sunday.
Police stations and government buildings were torched, but private businesses were untouched, according to witnesses, dpa reported.
A resident told Al Arabiya by telephone: "If Gaddafi's security enter the city there will be a massacre", since residents "have machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons."
Clashes between security forces and protesters have taken place in the city.