Gaddafi facing final stand in Tripoli
Updated
A Libyan policeman who defected mans a checkpoint in the eastern city of Tobruk on Thursday (AFP)
Key towns in Libya's west have reportedly been the scene of fierce clashes as anti-government protesters close in on dictator Moamar Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital, Tripoli.
Mr Gaddafi's forces now control an ever-shrinking share of the country, and it appears the critical fight will come down to Tripoli, where his forces and supporters are at their strongest.
In the past 24 hours, much of the capital was deserted as residents sought refuge at home.
But protesters, with the help of defected soldiers, are now vowing to march on the capital for a final battle they hope will end Mr Gaddafi's 42-year rule.
A rapid flow of reports on Twitter have told of Mr Gaddafi's forces and hired mercenaries opening fire on civilians at Zawiya, about 30 kilometres west of Tripoli.
Many spoke of heavy gunfire and even anti-aircraft missiles being used to attack protesters, including inside a mosque.
A witness on Al Jazeera television described it as a massacre.
"More than 100 people - there's about 200 to 300 people shooted - about 100 of them have died now. I think they are planning to attack us again this night," the man said.
There were accounts too of fighting at Misurata, another western town and the scene of ongoing clashes.
But then came reports that anti-government groups there had taken control.
One video on YouTube purports to show protesters or deserting soldiers parading with military weapons.
Defiant
The Libyan leader still sees no reason to step down.
Overnight, Libyan television aired what it said was another speech by Mr Gaddafi made by telephone, where he blamed the unrest on young Libyans who have been brainwashed by drugs or Al Qaeda.
"It is obvious that this is run by Al Qaeda, " he said. "You in Zawiyah turn to bin Laden. They give you drugs.
"Those armed youngsters, our children, are incited by people who are wanted by America and the Western world.
"People were getting all their daily needs ... why did you have to get involved with the bin Laden ideology?
"They have been brainwashing the kids in this area and tell them to misbehave... the ones who are under bin Laden's influence and authority, under the influence of drugs."
He told the Libyan people he has no control.
"I am not interested in anything. Since 1977 I hand over power to you. I have no say on orders or decisions or laws," he said.
"It is the people who rule itself. You have the prerogative to deal with your own affairs as you wish."
The speech was the embattled leader's second television appearance since protests broke out against his rule on February 15.
On Tuesday, in a defiant, sometimes rambling speech, Mr Gaddafi vowed to remain in Libya as head of its revolution, saying he would die as a martyr in the land of his ancestors and fight to the "last drop" of his blood.
He also ordered the army and police to crush the popular uprising against his iron-fisted, four-decade rule that has left hundreds dead.
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