MILITIAS loyal to Muammar Gaddafi shot and killed protesters as they streamed from mosques and marched across the Libyan capital yesterday to demand an end to the regime.

Militias loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have opened fire on protesters streaming out of mosques and marching across the Libyan capital.

Foreign mercenaries and Libyan militiamen loyal to Muammar Gaddafi tried to roll back the uprising against his rule that has advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli, attacking two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 17 people.

FOREIGN mercenaries and Libyan militiamen loyal to Muammar Gaddafi tried to roll back the uprising against his rule that has advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli, attacking two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 15 people.