Thousands of opposition protesters staged a new push Friday to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, with reports of government forces shooting at demonstrators in the capital Tripoli.
Protesters amassed in cities including Benghazi, where anti-Gadhafi forces appear to be in control. News agencies quote residents as saying forces loyal to Gadhafi opened fire in several districts of Tripoli after protesters began marching in the capital following Friday prayers.
Gadhafi speaks again
Towards dusk, Libyan state television showed Gadhafi addressing supporters in Tripoli.
The impassioned speech was directed at the the country's youth, with the Libyan leader urging them to defend the nation. Gadhafi spoke from a perch above Tripoli's Green Square, telling supporters "I am one of you."
The address was Gadhafi's third speech this week. In an audio speech carried on state television on Thursday, he accused al-Qaida forces of playing a role in the country's unrest.
Tripoli is the center of the shrinking territory that Gadhafi's regime still controls. The uprising that began last week has put the eastern part of the country under rebel control, and support for the anti-government movement is growing in the west.
On Thursday, an estimated 23 people died as violence broke out in the city of Zawiya, just 50 kilometers west of Tripoli. Heavy fighting also was reported in the city of Misurata.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-libya-uprising-libya-faces.html
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