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Gadhafi Loyalists Reinforce Grip on Tripoli, Protests Spread

   VOA News  February 24, 2011
   A  Libyan  protester  holds  up  a  sign against Libyan Leader Moammar
   Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, February 23, 2011.

Photo: AP

   A  Libyan  protester  holds  up  a  sign against Libyan Leader Moammar
   Gadhafi during a demonstration, in Tobruk, Libya, February 23, 2011.

   Fighters  loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are reinforcing their
   grip  on  the  capital, Tripoli, as a growing popular uprising spreads
   across  the  eastern  half  of  the country and anti-government forces
   consolidate control over key cities.
   In  Tripoli,  Gadhafi's stronghold, protest organizers are calling for
   new  rallies  Thursday  and  Friday,  raising  the potential for a new
   bloody confrontation there.
   Residents  in the Libyan capital say the streets were largely deserted
   Wednesday, with people afraid to leave their homes.
   Armed  militiamen  and  pro-Gadhafi  loyalists  - a mix of Libyans and
   African  mercenaries  -  are  reportedly  roaming  through Tripoli and
   fortifying  the  city's outer defenses. Security agents are said to be
   searching for people considered disloyal to the regime.
   U.S.  President  Barack  Obama called Wednesday for the regime to stop
   targeting citizens.
   "We  strongly  condemn the use of violence in Libya," Obama said. "The
   American  people  extend  our  deepest condolences to the families and
   loved  ones of all who have been killed and injured. The suffering and
   bloodshed  is  outrageous,  and it is unacceptable, so are threats and
   orders to shoot peaceful protesters."
   Anti-government  forces  claimed  Wednesday  to  have taken control of
   Misurata,   Libya's  third-largest  city  about  200  kilometers  from
   Tripoli,  marking  the westernmost advance of the opposition movement.
   People  fleeing across the border into Tunisia reported heavy fighting
   in the town of Sabratha, 80 kilometers west of the capital.
   President  Obama  said the actions of Libyan demonstrators, and others
   in the region, represent their desire to live a better life.
   "As  one  Libyan  said,  'We  just  want to be able to live like human
   beings',"  noted  Obama.  "We  just want to be able to live like human
   beings.  It  is  the  most  basic  of aspirations that is driving this
   change.  Throughout  this  time  of transition, the United States will
   continue  to  stand up for freedom, stand up for justice, and stand up
   for the dignity of all people."
   Protesters  and mutinous army units continue to consolidate their hold
   on  nearly  the  entire  eastern  half of Libya's 1,600 kilometer-long
   coastline,  setting up rudimentary governments and manning checkpoints
   along the main roads.

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