Anti-government rebels carry ammunition in a base for training and recruiting rebels for the army in Benghazi February 28, 2011.
Anti-government rebels carry bullets in a base for training and recruiting rebels for the army in Benghazi February 28, 2011.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman washes his foots and preparing to pray at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen clean parts of a machine gun at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
A Libyan anti-government fighter watches from an elevated position the main road that leads from capital Tripoli to the southwestern town of Nalut, Libya, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. The town is currently in control of the Libyan anti-government forces.
Libyan rebels deploy an anti-aircraft machinegun at a military base in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
Libyan rebels hold anti-tank rockets in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
A Libyan rebel mans an anti-aircraft machinegun in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
Armed Libya civilians walk over the debris of a destroyed army barrack in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
A Libyan armed man shoots in the air with his automatic rifle at a destroyed army barrack in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
A Libyan rebellion fighter prepares to go on a patrol in the eastern city of Benghazi on February 28, 2011. Pressure mounted on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi after his opponents overran towns and world leaders called for him to end his iron-fisted rule.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen load bullets for heavy machine gun at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman cleans part of a heavy machine gun at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
A Libyan boy walks at a military base where they collect the anti-air craftmachine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen load bullets for a heavy machine gun at a military base where they collect the anti-aircraft machine guns to maintain and prepare them for any attack come from the west country, in Benghazi, east of Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunman holds bullets of anti-aircraft machine gun, in Benghazi, Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Anti-Libyan Leader Moammar Ghadafi gunmen stand on alert next to an anti-aircraft machine gun, as they watch the coast side in case any Libyan navy attack, in Benghazi, Libya, on Monday Feb. 28, 2011. The United States pressed its European allies on Monday to set tough sanctions on the Libyan government, while doubts emerged about the feasibility of a proposed no-fly zone to prevent Moammar Gadhafi’s regime from launching aerial attacks against protesters.
Saif Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, speaks to pro-government supporters in this frame grab from a YouTube footage obtained February 28, 2011.
Protesters closing in on Tripoli
Thousands of pro-democracy protesters are closing in on the capital, Tripoli, where Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is holed up.
Forces loyal to Gaddafi continue the violent suppression of popular forces to prevent them from taking the fight to the capital. However, reports say pro-democracy protesters have taken control of parts of Tripoli.
Main cities including Zawiyah, some 50 km west of the capital, have been seized following the liberation of a number of eastern towns.
In Libya’s third-largest city Misurata, protesters have shot down a helicopter and captured its crew.
Meanwhile, Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam has personally taken up arms and is leading pro-government forces in the city.
An estimated 2,000 people have been killed in the violence so far. The International Criminal Court has announced the launch of a preliminary probe into possible crimes against humanity committed in Libya.
The siege around Libya’s capital tightens as anti-government protesters expand their control.
The UN Human Rights Commissioner has warned Gaddafi and his inner circle that deadly crackdown on civilians could amount to crimes under international law.
“It is a matter of great sadness that so much blood has been shed to usher in change. Let me reiterate that the illegal and excessively heavy-handed response of a number of governments is unacceptable,” Navi Pillay said in Geneva.
The developments come as popular revolutions continue to sweep the US-backed regimes across the Middle East and North Africa.
Catatan
