Libya’s rebel leader calls for strong and democratic state

THE chief of Libya’s revolutionary movement has addressed a crowd of thousands in a landmark square in central Tripoli, calling for a democratic state with strong civic institutions.

The speech by Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, who heads the National Transitional Council, came late last night during the largest public gathering of revolutionary leaders since rebel forces stormed into the capital last month, effectively ending the 40-year rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi urged his followers to fight on yesterday in a message of defiance that carried wider resonance after twin attacks on a key oil hub and fierce resistance in a loyalist stronghold.