Defiant Gaddafi takes open-car whistlestop tour of Tripoli as rebels plead for more help
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi brazenly drove through the streets of Tripoli today as Nato bombed the capital.
In an outfit which appeared to resemble those of the Blues Brothers, fashion conscious Gaddafi, who apparently changes his outfits several times a day, stepped out in a green safari hat, dark glasses and a black jacket for the public show of defiance in the face of Nato air strikes. Images broadcast on Libyan state television show the leader standing through an open sun-roof, pumping his fists and waving as his convoy toured the streets followed by hundreds of pedestrians.
It comes as opposition rebels have asked for more help in the fight against Libya, warning that Misrata is on the verge of a massacre by Gaddafi troops. As former foreign minister Moussa Koussa is removed from an EU sanctions list, the rebels say they need Nato to intensify its attacks on government forces. Tripoli Street, which links the west of the city with the centre, has come under heavy bombardment by the dictator's loyalists while a heavy rocket assault near the port prevented a Qatari vessel from docking. A rebel spokesman who identified himself only as Abdelsalam said: 'A massacre will take place here if Nato does not intervene strongly.'
State TV channel, Al-Libiya, was reporting that there had been air strikes in the city, resulting in civilian casualties. There were four blasts and plooms of smoke were seen rising from the south east of the city. Meanwhile, round the negotiating table in Berlin, world leaders said they were committed to providing all necessary resources for military operations in Libya.
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