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>> and now, "bbc world news." >> are yourselves and fight for me -- colonel gaddafi's message to supporters. protest in the capital will go on until they are stopped with a hail of bullets. the u.s. security council is considering further measures. coming up a little later, the ivory coast on the brink of civil war. thousands of civilians flee clashes. the recovery operation continues in new zealand. people from more than 20 countries have died in the earthquake.

angry and defiant -- muammar gaddafi addressed thousands of supporters in tripoli. he urged them to fight back. his speech came shortly after forces opened fire against demonstrators in several parts of tripoli. in the past half hour, the u.s. has confirmed they have imposed financial sanctions against gaddafi and several of his family members. he said he and his father would never leave libya of life. our reporter since this report from tripoli. >> in the open air at tripoli airport, lines of people waiting for a flight home. some of them in high visibility jackets seem to be in organized groups. others appear to be waiting for a long time. there were blankets and a lot of people dreaming of home.

the airport is operating, but getting on a plane with so many people here is a big challenge. >> we are hearing more messages of defiance. they can show us that things are normal in the capital and that they are in control. those scenes at the airport were not normal. the libyan economy depends on the labor of tens of thousands of migrants. the ones that are left are getting out. earlier there was another defiant message from colonel gaddafi. this time he chose a fort in the center of tripoli as is that poor -- as his backdrop. he made more threats against the people he regards as lydia's enemies. colonel gaddafi's son, who seem to be his heir apparent, was just as defiant. >> we have a plan a, plan b, and

clancy. -- and plan c. plan a is to live and die here. plan b is to live and die here. plan c is to live and die here. >> the gaddafi's family enemies seem to be getting closer to home -- closer to their power base here in the capital. can you tell me if you would agree with statements from people abroad who have said this is the endgame for your father and for the control of the gaddafi family here in libya? >> this is not just about one person or one family. it is much bigger than this. libya it should stay and remain united.

thank you. god is with my father. in egypt, we sell millions of people. everybody was against the president. you saw today what happened in the main cities in libya. >> the bbc received these pictures showing anti-government protesters in the center of triple-a marching up to union square chanting that they avenge the blood of martyrs. the bbc has also received these pictures which appear to share protesters being fired upon as they leave a mosque in tripoli.

a witness in triple-a who wanted to stay anonymous spoke to the bbc about an attack on worshipers. >> after the prayers, the shooting started. as people came out, there were shooting at people. the situation is horrible here. this guy is raining with bullets. >> this is west of tripoli yesterday. a march appears to be attacked by government forces. it is hard to be precise about what is happening town by town in this country, but the trend has been consistent. the uprising is spreading. this couple reist tunisia from zawhir. >> it is all over. only tripoli is left now.

gaddafi is finished. >> this is where the balance of power appears to be now. the rebels controls much of the east. the government holds some areas. other areas are being fought over. the libyan leader is thought to be based in his compound in the capital. this seems to be the battle of forces. 7000 to 8000 cadet -- brigades are loyal to gaddafi. those who have defected are thought to make up 5000. state television has been showing pictures of a rally in tripoli. the message of the regime is clear -- there are problems in the country, blamed by colonel gadhafi on al qaeda and drug field use. his loyal list danced and sang in the center of the capital on a chilly and damp winter night.

>> further diplomatic pressure has been melting. the u.s. security council warned that it could amount to crimes against humanity. the security council has been called upon to take decisive action. >> it is time for the security council to consider concrete action. the hours and days ahead are equally important implications for the wider region. the statements and actions of the security council are eagerly awaited and will be closely followed develop the region. whatever your course, be mindful of the urgency of the moment. in these circumstances, a loss of time means a lot more loss of life. >> there are hardly unusual

scenes in the un the libyan ambassador addressed the security council. there had been thought that the ambassador had defected to the opposition. we asked if someone could confirm those reports. >> i cannot confirm it and i am not sure if that would have been his focus at this time. the diplomats at the libyan embassy had been quite clear that although they are not supporting the regime of colonel gaddafi, they still represent the libyan people. what he specifically has done i cannot confirm. i can say it was an emotional moment at the un because the ambassador, having said earlier in the week that he was a friend of gaddafi even though he did not like what he was doing, said that he could not keep quiet any longer, saying the revolution of freedom he joined in 1959 had become killing his own people.

he appealed to the un to save the country. after his speech, his deputy was crying. a very unusual scene at the un. ban ki-moon gave him a hug. although the events are very much about trying to organize an international response to what is going on in libya, the immediate focus was a personal intervention by the ambassador. >> was there a consensus, in particular the international criminal court. the un has to refer it to the in c. >> the security council is looking at a draft resolution that will involve various pressures on the ibm military and government officials. these are targeted sanctions. they're very likely will be agreements. a couple of other things that

will be more difficult. one is the referral to the icc for an investigation into the situation in libya and possible war crimes against humanity. that would be much more controversy. there are councilmembers they would express strong reservations. i am not sure if it will make it into the final draft. there is also a reference to authorizing all necessary measures to ensure humanitarian access. all necessary measures is often code for military intervention. that, i do not think, is going to happen. the ambassador has said that military intervention was impossible. those words will not make it into the final draft. the intentions are to try to start with this, but get the strongest language possible on humanitarian access. there is a lot of concern about, especially medical supplies to the injured in libya.

>> must go to the libyan born american. the has been in libya to promote human rights. he joins us from california. judging from what is happening now, your work must have been quite difficult. >> if yes, indeed. i just got off the phone with my brother. he has been working 24/7. he is in charge of receiving the medical supplies there. one thing for sure that people of libya, at least the ones in the city of benghazi -- they are adamantly against any form of intervention. there has been talk of possible surgical strikes. that has also been considered. >> how much of lydia's economy

is controlled by the gaddafi family? >> are you kidding me? these guys control everything in libya. they have connections with europe and southeast asia. they were trying to invest as much as $64 billion in the united states. they have investments in every part of the world whether it is a national investment company or through personal investments. there is a lot of money they control worldwide. the allies numbers are $40 billion to $70 million. >> how about the united states? >> not much. the united states does not buy oil from libya.

it is too far to bring to the united states. >> what do you think president obama means when he says the situation in libya is a direct threat to u.s. national security? >> the united states dismantle all the chemical weapons against libya. once you get the stuff out, you have some companies try to dismantle this stuff. i blame the u.s. government for not done -- not doing this quick enough. the regime is unable to do anything with that stuff. the united states is trying to make a direct warning to gaddafi himself, not to attempt to do anything along those lines. >> thank you. still ahead, back to their all monma mater.

kate and we'll return to the school where the romance began. >> tens of thousands of people gathered in the ball iranian capital today. that is the 12 days for protestors in bahrain. the government says it is ready for talks. our reporter was there. >> there are people going back 4 kilometers. there must be tens of thousands of people here. they are demanding the end of the regime. many others think it will be possible. some think there could be a political compromise in which there is a more constitutional monarchies and democracy in the parliament. the government here as a major challenge.

they need a political compromise to diffuse the protests. >> the counselor those for the irish general election indicated that the main ruling party will be turned out of power. some suggested that fianna fail would lose half a parliament. the british designer was arrested in paris. they allegedly threw antisymmetric insults' at two diners. he has denied he is anti- semitic. the former minister of hong kong will take on the job of the bbc trust.

they will be on the sports committee next month before his appointment is confirmed. this is bbc news. colonel gaddafi has told a crowd of supporters in shipley to arm themselves as violence erupted once again in the city. the united states has imposed financial sanctions on libya of the un security council considers other measures. the british prime minister, david cameron, has done everything possible to get remaining britons out of libya safely. they are expected to have 200 evacuees on board from 50 different countries and atlanta in malta. >> you may be able to hear the engines are rolling in the background. in the last few minutes, they

have shown up at the docks. you may hear that as well. after more than 30 hours shutting off the eastern capital of benghazi, going 300 miles across the east. but me give you a sense of what i see around me at the moment. there are just below the docs five or six ambulances, there are used the 30 or 40 ambulance crew in high-visibility jackets. there are two structures ready to take some of these chronically sick passengers that are on board. there are a lot of people who suffer from the high seas. we are talking about a journey that was expected to have docked here 12 hours ago. the seas were so problematic, a lot of people are quite sick. the children on board -- they

had been kept entertained. the navy crew is lining up on the decks at the moment. we have seen a number of people popping out. it appears to be passengers that are leaking. 120 foreign nationals made up of citizens from 20 different countries are on board. >> the airport is pretty busy as well. >> absolutely. just a few kilometers from here is one of the smallest airports i have been too. it has been extremely busy for the past three days. the 200 or so passengers coming through here will stay at a hotel tonight. malta is relatively small. there is a contingent of 2000 chinese foreign nationals who are coming from libya in a few hours on a class 5 a weiner --

class 5 liner. more comfortable surroundings for them. an american catamaran when did it with -- landed in 2.5 days. they were exhausted. they were also told not to go near the windows in case of snipers. a lot of people will be quite dramatic and tired coming out today. >> thank you. the united nations has reported the ivory coast is on the brink of a civil war. forces loyal to the former president clashed with those two won last year's election. quite fearing for their safety, residents streamed out at the district.

it is a city and territory controlled by the incumbent president. the those leaving top of gun battles and exclusions. >> you heard gunshots until four in the morning. you could not sleep. >> we are living in hell. we are tired. >> the unrest is spreading with gunshots reported in the capital. they tell i in the west is said to have been taken over. the former president is refusing to step down since november's elections. the u.n. and foreign leaders of one hand to hand over power to his arrival. -- to his rival. he can rely on the backing of these people -- supporters who belong to a group of young

patriots. earlier there were calls -- calls for self-defense units to step up and protect themselves. there order to block u.n. peacekeepers. >> i am asking all the youth of the ivory coast to organized militias. the u.n. says the ivory coast is at risk of relapsing into civil war. >> clashes between security forces and armed groups have caused civilian casualties. i urge the forces to stop the violence. >> the elections were supposed to bring peace to ivory coast. instead, residents are now fleeing for their lives as the political stalemate continues. >> the number of people confirmed to have died in new

zealand falling tuesday but the earthquake has got to wonder 23. some are still missing. the violent aftershocks are hampering efforts for rescue workers trying to recover bodies. i asked the mayor of christ church held the city is bearing up under the pressure. >> given the circumstances we find ourselves in, we are doing remarkably well. it is extraordinary complex, but a fast-moving situation. there are a number of building severely damaged in the business district. a major search and rescue operation is underway. the united nations search and rescue people here are from australia, japan, taiwan, china, the u.s., the u.k., a group

just arrived from mexico. we are now three to four days into this event. we will push on as fast as we can trying to find people we know are lost in the wreckage of the buildings that collapsed. time is obviously very pressing. it is important that we have the numbers on the ground to do the board. that is what we have got. on the other side, there are tens of thousands of households to currently do not have water, electricity, waste water systems. the networks are damaged as well. >> chris williams and a militant were both students at andrews university. -- prince williams and kate middleton where both students

at st. andrews. they kept quiet about their romance. today, there were welcomed as one of their own. the return to st. andrews for the 600th anniversary of bill. it inevitably stirred some memories. >> ladies and gentlemen, fellow alumni, and undergraduates of st. andrews -- this is a special moment for catherine and me. it feels like coming home. >> it was home to them for four years. kate took part in a student fashion show. the graduated together in the summer of 2005. today they returned to some of their old haunts as prospective husband and wife. they charged st. andrews from the undergraduates to the university chancellor. >> they are going to make a very good establishment for the market. >> it was the what about that

shows how well kate appears to be adjusting to her new role. whether or not it is the novelty of it all, she seems to be enjoying it, objecting easily with person after person. so much so that william was already in the car when it was time to depart. this is a faceplate. it should be said that this particular affair seems to be taken to it naturally and confidently. kate middleton -- a student roil. >> the u.s. has imposed financial sanctions against colonel gaddafi and several of his family members. plenty more on the bbc news website.

>> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its

global financial strength to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.