Gaddafi tells followers to defend the nation
Speaking from ramparts of historic fort, Libyan leader tells over 1,000 of his supporters to 'retaliate against protestors, put them to shame, defend the oil.' EU governments agree on arms embargo, asset freezes, travel ban on Libya
Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi has told a crowd of his supporters massed in a central Tripoli Square to fight back against protesters and "defend the nation."
Gaddafi, wearing a fur cap and sunglasses, is speaking from the ramparts of the Red Castle, a historic fort, overlooking Green Square, where over 1,000 of his supporters were massed Friday evening, waving pictures of him and green flags. Anti-Gaddafi protests erupted during the day Friday, met by gunfire from pro-regime militia.
Gaddafi, pumping his fist in the air, told the crowd to "retaliate against them, retaliate against them" and "prepare to defend the nation and defend the oil."
"This nation, we are the nation of dignity and integrity, this nation has triumphed over (former colonial power) Italy," he said.
Gaddafi shouted: "You must dance, sing, and prepare yourself ... this spirit you have is stronger than any other attempt by the foreigners and the enemies to destroy us."
Becoming more and more animated, Gaddafi said: "Muammar Gaddafi is amongst you. I stand among the people and we will fight and we will kill them if they want."
"Look at the people's force. This is the people's force that cannot be defeated."
"Do as you please. You are free to dance, sing, and celebrate in all squares throughout the night. Muammar Gaddafi is one of you. Dance, sing, rejoice!"
Meanwhile, European Union governments reached a consensus on Friday on imposing an arms embargo, asset freezes and a travel ban on Libya, but a formal decision is not expected until early next week, diplomats said.
Protestors in Benghazi (Photo: Reuters)
After a meeting of senior officials from EU member states, no objections were raised to the idea of imposing sanctions on Gaddafi and his crumbling government, but the legal language and other details are still to be finalized.
"We expect a formal decision to be made early next week, possibly Monday or Tuesday," one EU diplomat said.
Some EU member states, including Cyprus, Malta and Italy, which have close ties to Libya, had raised concerns about moving too quickly to impose sanctions, especially as it is unclear whether Gaddafi will still be in power in the coming weeks.
Anti-Gaddafi protestors in Al-Bayda (Photo: AP)
France, on the other hand, has pushed to move rapidly against the Libyan leader, putting further pressure on him to go after more than 40 years in power and throwing its diplomatic weight behind the growing popular insurgency.
As well as EU member states having to take a formal decision on sanctions, the European Commission has to provide the necessary legal regulations for the EU to go ahead, diplomats said. That will come after a Commission meeting next week.
At the same time, major powers are pushing for the United Nations to impose sanctions on the Libyan government.
The United States is also moving closer to imposing new sanctions on Gaddafi's regime after hundreds of Americans were evacuated from Libya.
Officials said the Obama administration could impose travel bans, freeze assets and take other steps against Gaddafi loyalists Friday. They said the announcement's timing depends on the safety of Americans and other foreigners remaining in Libya.
President Barack Obama was briefing world leaders on US plans and coordinating international pressure on Gaddafi's government to stop violence against opponents. International officials say thousands may be dead.
The US ferried some 150 Americans out of Tripoli Friday. Washington is also chartering a plane for more evacuations.
Meanwhile, a Libyan envoy to the United Nations renounced links to Gaddafi's government, joining a growing number of defectors dismayed by the Libyan leader's bloody crackdown on a popular uprising.
Diplomats in the hall erupted in applause at the surprise announcement by Adel Shaltut, a diplomat at Libya's delegation to the UN in Geneva, that his entire delegation now represented the "free will" of the Libyan people.
"We in the Libyan mission have categorically decided to serve as representatives of the Libyan people and their free will. We only represent the Libyan people," he told the 47-member UN Human Rights Council, which is holding a special session on the Libyan crisis.
Scores of Libyan envoys and other embassy staff around the world have deserted Gaddafi, as well as cabinet ministers, senior officials and members of Libya's armed forces. The Libyan delegation to the Arab League in Cairo on Friday joined their ranks, condemning "the heinous crimes against unarmed citizens".
"We have joined our people in their legitimate demands for change and the establishment of a democratic system," the delegation said. It called on the Arab League and the UN Security Council to take "all necessary and urgent action that will prevent the shed of blood and keep the nation united."
AP, Reuters contributed to the report
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