Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: The Fighting Nears Tripoli

NOTE: Our entries on today's protests in Iraq have now been moved to a separate LiveBlog.

2330 GMT: Naval officers in Libya expressing support for the opposition:

2255 GMT: Video of protest in the Souq al-Jumaa section of Tripoli in Libya tonight. The graffiti at the end is “Tell the dogs of the regime to come to the square” and “Broadcast this Al Jazeera, you are the only [news media] that is believed":

2250 GMT: Video, with gunfire, of tonight in Aden in Yemen, where one person was killed and several injured today:

2247 GMT: Video of Libya's Ambassador to the United Nations, Abdul Rahman Shalgham, who has disassociated himself from the Qaddafi regime, crying and being comforted by colleagues, including Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, today:

2245 GMT: Many thanks to James Miller of EA and Dissected News for handling the LiveBlog much of today. Some late night notes....

Speaking to foreign journalists in Tripoli tonight, Muammar Qaddafi's son Saif Al Islam declared that the government had been exercising restraint with opposition forces in western Libya and "hoped that a negotiated ceasefire could be in place by Saturday".

The younger Qaddafi, said that protesters would not be harmed if they surrendered and engaged in negotiations on needed reforms. He dismissed the news of violent clashes, "We are laughing at these reports. Apart from Misurata and Zawiya, everything is calm."

Saif al Islam explained, "In Misurata, in Zawiya, we have a problem. We are dealing with terrorists. But hopefully they are running out of ammunition. Hopefully there will be no more bloodshed. By tomorrow we will solve this. The army decided not to attack the terrorists, and to give a chance to negotiation. Hopefully we will do it peacefully and will do so by tomorrow."

The former Speaker of Parliament in Libya, Mubarak Al Shamekh, has entered Egypt and requested political asylum.

Global Voices Online reports on demonstrations of about 7000 people in Amman in Jordan today. One group calls for Constitutional reforms; another declared allegiance to King Abdullah. Demonstrators also sought a general Arab spirit of unity and a free Palestine, and they announced a protest in front of the Libyan Embassy in Amman later today.

Activists are claiming that police are beating and arresting people in Tahrir Square in Cairo tonight.

Al Arabiya reported earlier this evening that Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa dismissed three ministers, including the Ministers of Health and of Housing.

2034 GMT: The Libyan delegate to the N is speaking from the floor of the United Nations. He just compared Qaddafi's careless disregard for human life with that of Pol Pot and Hitler. So far, he has mentioned that peaceful protesters were met with live gunfire, and soldiers were given orders to shoot for the head, as if they did not have other options.

2027 GMT: Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secratery General, is speaking on Libya right now.

2010 GMT: Sanctioning Libya - Obama spokesman Jay Carney announced this afternoon that the the US is finalizing unilateral sanctions against the Qaddafi regime. Carney also stated that Barack Obama will meet with UN Secretary General on Monday.

There are still reports of heavy gunfire in Tunisia's capital, despit the fact that it is now after 10 p.m.

1810 GMT: We're going on break for a few hours. Coverage continues via the Live Feed from Al Jazeera English.

1800 GMT: The Libyan mission to the Arab League has denounced Muammar Qaddafi and changed its name to the "Libyan People's Mission to the Arab League".

1750 GMT: Al Jazeera English's take-away lines from the Qaddafi speech: ""We can defeat any aggression if necessary and arm the people....You, the youth, be comfortable… dance, sing, stay up all night."

1745 GMT: European Union governments have reached consensus on an arms embargo, asset freezes, and a travel ban on Libya, although a formal decision will only be taken early next week.

The legal language and other details have to be completed, and the EU will seek to coordinate the move with the US and the United Nations.

1656 GMT: Gaddafi's speech was sudden and short --- "I am one with the people... life without green banners is useless... sing and revoice."

1653 GMT: Al Jazeera is showing live video of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi speaking to pro-government demonstrators in Tripoli's Green Square:

"I am among the public. We will continue to fight. We will defeat them. We will die here on the soil of Libya. We will defeat the foreing threats as we defeated the Italians. This is the invincible force of youth."

1652 GMT: According to a Libyan opposition Facebook page, this video was taken today in Tripoli (very graphic):

1640 GMT: Libya - A correspondant for Al Jazeera has this report:

 People are rushing out of mosques even before Friday prayers are finished because the state-written sermons were not acceptable, and made them even more angry,” the source said.

1635 GMT: A Twitter user claiming to be in Tripoli has uploaded this video of shooting outside his window. He had been agonizing for several hours about uploading the video, fearing that the government might crackdown against him. His Twitter feed describes a chaotic situation on the ground: "i see guns with people .... shots r everywhere ..."

 CNN's Ben Wedeman has an almost surreal report about the trasnformation of Gaddafi's house in Benghazi from a place of fear to a place of jubilation, a museum to the wave of pro-democracy protests that have reached Libya.

1624 GMT: Libya - According to Al Jazeera English, 50,000 protestors are moving from Tajura, a suburb that is 14 kilometers from Tripoli, toward Tripoli. 

Algeria - This unconfirmed report just in from Twitter: 

RT @AJELive: Al Jazeera correspondent: Precious scene on #Libya state TV now - kids leading pro #Gaddafi gathering, chanting 'Long live Papa Muammar!'

1610 GMT: Earlier we reported that a source in Tripoli had his phone taken while he was being interviewed by Al Jazeera. Apparently, he was taking refuge in a house when security forces raided it and the owner got nervous and cut the line.

He is reporting that gun fire is still occuring in the capital, and many people were taken captive by gunpoint. The protesters have remained peaceful and are not taking arms, but the government is violently cracking down. He said that we should expect a "massacre."

1552 GMT: Algeria: The Interior Minister, Daho Ould Kablia, acknowledged the existence of secret detention facilities during a radio interview yesterday. The UN Council for Human Rights had already suspected that Algeria was one of 66 nations guilty of such a practice.

This news comes after the Algerian government lifted a 19 year long state-of-emergency in response to recent protests. 

1544 GMT: A new video has been uploaded on an opposition Facebook page. It claims to be taken in Tripoli's market today, and depicts tear gas being fired. Louder shots can be heard at the beginning of the video as immediately before the videographer dives for cover.

1525 GMT: The entire Libyan diplomatic delegation to the United Nations has announced, from the floor of the UN, that they support the Libyan people.

""We in the Libyan mission have categorically decided to serve as representatives of the Libyan people and their free will. We only represent the Libyan people."

1513 GMT: Just moments ago, a source on the ground in Tripoli was speaking with Al Jazeera when the voice of a someone could be heard yelling (in Arabic), "Give me your phone, you cannot speak to Al Jazeera, give me your phone!" The line then went blank.

1502 GMT: The Guardian's Martin Chulov is reporting that the Mitiga air base in Tripoli has fallen to opposition forces. This is a "major blow" to security operations, as the planes that have been attacking protesters have launched from there. 

1450 GMT: Al Jazeera has receieved reports that Libyan security forces tried to retake the coastal town of Zawiyah, 50 kilometers west of Tripoli, but anti-government protesters have retained control of the town. 

Another activist is reporting that large groups of protesters are headed to Green Square in Tripoli.

1442 GMT: The ferry evacuating Americans out of Libya, delayed by weather for several days, has left Triploi for Malta. 

1440 GMT: EA has learned that in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, approximately 1000 people protested in Qatif demanding the release of all Shia prisoners. Qatif is on east coast of the peninsula and has the greatest concentration of Shia in the country. 

1430 GMT: The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) is concerned about the volume of Libyans fleeing to nearby Tunisia. According to Al Jazeera,

"It has been reported that upto 7,408 new arrivals over a 24-hour period until early Friday morning at the Ras Adjir border crossing alone. This put the total number of arrivals in Egypt, Tunisia and Niger to about 40,000  to 50,000."

1400 GMT: The protest in Tunis (see 1259 GMT) today:

1350 GMT: Officers at Mutiqa Airbase in Libya say they are joining the opposition.

1340 GMT: Reuters is reporting five protesters have died in and outside Tripoli in Libya so far this afternoon.

1330 GMT: The entire staff of the Libyan Embassy in India --- not just the Ambassador, the entire staff --- has quit:

1300 GMT: Tahrir Square in Cairo this afternoon:

And the protest march in Manama in Bahrain:

1259 GMT: More than 100,000 people protested in Tunis on Friday, demanding the resignation of Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi's transitional government, set up after last month's collapse of the Ben Ali regime.

Demonstrators chanted "Ghannouchi leave" and "Shame on this government", as army helicopters circled above the crowd.

1257 GMT: Eyewitnesses are reporting firing by Qaddafi forces against protesters in the Tripoli suburbs of Zawiya, Ben Ashour, Dahmani, Seyahiya, and Fashloom. Al Jazeera says two have been killed.

1225 GMT: An on-line source reports that members of the congregation heckled the Friday Prayer leader in Tripoli as he delivered the sermon, broadcast on State TV.

The sermon was cut off and cameras diverted, apparently as the hecklers were being detained.

The prayer leader had been saying, "Those who call for chaos will not be forgiven on the Day of Judgment. Stay away from internal fighting. We have to stay away from any evil and wrong doing. Whoever disobeys the ruler is disobeying God. We have to stay away from incitement work for unity."

1220 GMT: The BBC reports, from Libyan diplomatic sources, that Libya's Ambassador to France has resigned.

1155 GMT: Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik has said that many of the country’s governors will be replaced within days. Informed sources added that at least half of the governors will be changed, including those in 6th October, Suez, South of Sinai, Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, Aswan, and Kafr El Sheikh.

1150 GMT: A Live Stream is carrying images of Tahrir Square in Cairo as tens of thousands celebrate the fall of President Mubarak and calls for further political reforms.

1145 GMT: A picture of today's anti-regime protest in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, during Friday Prayers:

1140 GMT: The Washington Post has a useful profile of some in Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's inner circle: four of his sons and long-time advisors Musa Kusa and Abdullah al-Senussi.

1130 GMT: Yemen State TV is showing footage of rallies in support of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

1110 GMT: Live shots from Al Jazeera English show tens of thousands in Tahrir Square in Cairo in support of demands for a change of Government, lifting of the Emergency Law, and a new Constitution.

And thousands are gathered outside Sanaa University in Yemen, possibly marching this afternoon.

1100 GMT: Al Jazeera English has been live shots of massive gatherings for Friday Prayers in Benghazi and Derna in the east of Libya. Those leading the prayers are denouncing the 42-year rule of Muammar Qaddafi and calling for an end to violence and his reign, as well as remembering those killed in the uprising.

The prayer leaders are also asking youth to return any weapons they have taken from military barracks.

1050 GMT: Syrian blogger Ahmad Hadifa was released on Thursday without charge after six days in detention.

Hadifa, a 28-year-old journalism student who writes under the name Ahmad Aboul-Kheir at ahmadblogs.net, was arrested on 19 February.

1030 GMT: The leader of Bahrain's largest opposition party, Hassan Mushaima, is still detained in Beirut.

Mushaima, the head of Haqq, was returning to Bahrain from Britain, just before he was among 308 political prisoners pardoned by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Wednesday.

A Lebanese official said Mushaima was wanted on an Interpol warrant but Mushaima claimed, "My lawyer confirmed that no such warrant have been issued. If I was wanted by the Interpol, I would have not been allowed to leave London."

1017 GMT: Al Jazeera reports that the anti-Qaddafi opposition has taken over the Libyan Embassy in France.

Saeed Awad Rashwan, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Commercial Bank of Libya, has joined the opposition.

1015 GMT: Reports are coming in of a large demonstration in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, calling for the removal from Government of any figures connnected with the old Ben Ali regime, toppled in mid-January.

0940 GMT: Al Jazeera reports, "Intensive discussions are under way between defected Libyan political leaders, including ambassadors and ministers who have stepped down, to form a political body to lead the country."

0925 GMT: In Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, "thousands" are reportedly "sitting around university gates chanting 'Al Jazeera' and anti-[President] Saleh slogans. Will pray in streets."

0920 GMT: Hannah Allam reports on the launch of Radio Free Libya in Tobruk, the eastern city now controlled by the opposition. The main announcer, Anwar Sherif, says, "We let loose all the words we could never say. I said, 'Down with the tyrant!' and then all the other suppressed words came spilling out."

0855 GMT: An aid worker and member of the Muslim social network Al Waly gives a graphic account of the violence and danger in Tripoli in Libya, claiming people are being arrested or "killed on the spot" for talking to foreign journalists or diplomats:

0805 GMT: Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal writes in The New York Times this morning, "Unless many Arab governments adopt radically different policies, their countries will very likely experience more political and civil unrest."

Al Waleed Bin Talal reviews the situation in Arab countries, with youthful populations, with unemployment, deprivation, and economic issues, and with "political systems that have become outmoded and brittle": "Arab governments can no longer afford to take their populations for granted, or to assume that they will remain static and subdued."

The Prince says reform "has to be the result of meaningful interaction and dialogue among the different components of a society, most particularly between the rulers and the ruled. It also has to encompass the younger generation".

He makes no reference at all to the situation in Saudi Arabia.

0800 GMT: The BBC and Reuters are reporting that the Libyan regime has raised wages, increased food subsidies, and ordered a special allowance to be paid to families.

0755 GMT: Al Jazeera is reported that Libya’s chief prosecutor and head of judicial inspection have resigned.

0750 GMT: Ben Wedeman of CNN reported early this morning, "Doctors at Benghazi's Al-Jala hospital told me many of the dead were shot by snipers in chest, neck and head. Shooting to kill."

0715 GMT: Al Arabiya reports that it has received an e-mail confirming the resignation of Muammar Qaddafi's cousin and personal envoy, Ahmad Gaddaf el Dem, from his office "due to the methods used to deal with the crisis in Libya".

0657 GMT: Libya's Attorney General, Abdelrahman Al-Abbar, has announced his resignation on television, joining the opposition: " "I took a oath to be biased to justice & the truth when I started this job. The massacres & bloodshed that are happening now have never been witnessed by the people of #Libya before."

0655 GMT: A resolution for sanctions against Libyan leaders, drafted by France and Britain, will be considered by the United Nations Security Council today.

Diplomats backing the proposal are hoping for a vote next week. They said that Russia and China have not objected to consideration, but Moscow and Beijing are expected to try and ease any punitive measures.

0650 GMT: Al Hurra is reporting that France has provided protection for the former Libyan Chief of Protocol, Nuri al-Mismari, after both his daughters were kidnapped in Libya.

0645 GMT: An eyewitness has told Al Arabiya that Az Zawiyah --- 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli and the site of Muammar Qaddafi's stand by telephone yesterday --- has been taken by the opposition, which is now co-ordinating with cities in "Free Libya" in the east.

0610 GMT: The Wall Street Journal reports that seven army colonels, now based in the eastern city of Benghazi in "Free Libya", have said they are discussing how to remove Muammar Qaddafi from power.

"We have a plan to bring down Tripoli," said Colonel Tareq Saad Hussein. "We will not stop until we liberate the whole country."

0540 GMT: We will be keeping an eye out for called protests in Egypt, where the opposition coalition is pressing for replacement of the transitional Cabinet, and in Iraq, where criticism of economic conditions and the political situation has been mounting.

0525 GMT: The even-stranger-than-usual manner of Muammar Qaddafi's speech on Thursday was testimony to the gathering crisis for his 42-year-rule. There was no public appearance in Az Zawiyah, 30 miles west of the capitol Tripoli, not even a talk to camera. Instead, he phoned in his remarks (see separate video) and, having railed against Al Qa'eda and the foreigners who have caused this crisis by giving money and drugs to Libyan youth, having pleaded with parents to take control of the troublesome kids, he suddenly hung up.

There were no cut-away scenes of thousands, as there had been for Qaddafi's previous speech on Tuesday, waving the Green Flag of the 1969 Revolution and the Leader's picture. Instead, his talk had been preceded by an attempt by his forces to put down large demonstrations in the city, killing at least 10 (but, in the media dark in western Libya, the number is likely to be far higher).

The opposition appeared to rebuff an attempt by Qaddafi's loyalists to retake Misurata, the first city in the west claimed by the uprising, and there were reports that Zuara, 120 km (75 miles) west of Tripoli, was now with the protesters.

Meanwhile, in the east, the striking scene was one of celebration, as video from Benghazi showed tens of thousands massed in joy at the dawn of "Free Libya". Reports continued of pro-Qaddafi mercenaries in the area, but there was no co-ordinated assault by the regime against Libya's second city. Similar pictures of celebration came out of other eastern cities such as Tobruk.

Elsewhere, it was a relatively quiet day. There was another large protest against the ruling monarchy in Bahrain, but reports of clashes in Yemen were sparse for the first day in almost two weeks. In Egypt, the post-Mubarak settling of scores continued with the arrest of the former Minister of Information and head of State broadcasting, as well as the detention of the former President's Chief of Staff, in a raid on the Presidential Palaces, for destroying tens of thousands of documents.