Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has said his people will take up arms if a no-fly zone is imposed by Western nations or the UN, as many of the rebels have been calling for.
In an interview with Turkish TV, he said a no-fly zone would show the true intention was to seize Libya’s oil.
Pro-Gaddafi forces now appear to have wrested most of Zawiya city, 50km (30 miles) from Tripoli, from the rebels.
The US has said any decision on a no-fly zone over Libya rests with the UN.
Meanwhile, a major explosion has been heard near the rebel-held oil port of Ras Lanuf, which has been coming under heavy bombardment from government warplanes in recent days.
More than 1 000 people are believed to have died since the uprising to end Col Gaddafi’s 41 years in power began in mid-February. About 212 000 people – most of them migrant workers – have fled the country, the UN estimates.
Col Gaddafi said in an interview with Turkish TRT TV: “If they take such a decision [to impose a no-fly zone], it will be useful for Libya, because the Libyan people will see the truth, that what they want is to take control of Libya and to steal their oil.
“Then the Libyan people will take up arms against them.” (BBC)
