Libyan unrest spreads to Tripoli amidst rumors Gaddafi has fled to Venezuela
Anti-government protests in Libya have spread to the capitol of Tripoli, amidst rumors that the country’s dictator Moammar Gaddafi has fled into exile in Venezuela. After a bloody crackdown in the eastern city of Benghazi, protesters are reportedly moving in on Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli. More than 200 Libyans have reportedly been killed by government troops and mercenaries sent to quell the gathering rebellion. BBC has reported that automatic gunfire and teargas have been fired at demonstrators in Tripoli and some government buildings have been burned to the ground. Meanwhile, Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, warned on state TV that a "civil war" was imminent. "There is a plot against Libya," said Saif, citing that "an Islamic group with a military agenda" was behind the turmoil.
He also said Libya would see "rivers of blood" and the departure of foreign oil companies and occupation by "imperialists" if the violence continued. Meanwhile, Gaddafi's other sons, Khamis and Saadi, and intelligence chief Abdullah Sanussi were reportedly leading the campaign to stop the protests in Benghazi. Moreover, Reuters reported that some Libyan soldiers have defected and joined the protests.
PressTV: Libya's Muammar Gaddafi has left his country for Venezuela or Brazil
RIANovosti: Russia's Zhirinovsky invites Gaddafi to move to Moscow