Gaddafi urges Libyans to fight back

Muammar Gaddafi called today on Libyans in the rebel-held east of the country to take back control from opposition leaders.

Gaddafi, addressing a group of youths from the town of Zintan, 75 miles south west of Tripoli, again blamed al Qaida operatives from Egypt, Algeria, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories for the turmoil in his country since February 15.

Libya’s state television broadcast Gaddafi’s address early today.

Pro-Gaddafi troops have been battling against rebel forces in the east of the country and in areas near the capital Tripoli, which remains under the control of his regime.

Gaddafi has been in power since 1969.

US president Barack Obama’s senior advisers are meeting today to outline possible steps that could be used to pressure Gaddafi to halt the violence against his people and give up power.

Mr Obama is facing the sternest test yet of his philosophy of humanitarian intervention, which he has described as an imperative to prevent atrocities against civilians.

But Gaddafi’s brutal suppression of protests and crackdown on opponents to his 42-year rule may fall short of Mr Obama’s criteria for military action.

As a presidential candidate in October 2008, Mr Obama outlined a doctrine for American military force that included crises in which the United States has a “moral obligation” to intervene.

As commander in chief, he soon will have to decide whether Libya fits that bill.