the media should focus on tripoli. we are thinking now that the media is playing into the hands of colonel gadhafi. the west might try to make up their own state. one thing i have seen inside and outside of the country is unity. people are chanting on the streets. tripoli is our capital. we will save her. libya is being chanted at the moment in the streets. >> you say that there is a rift but the rift we are get getting is that gadhafi is firmly in control of tripoli. is that not the case? >> that is not the case. people are coming out onto the street. he has brought in his loyalists, revolutionary guards and packed the city of tripoli. there are snipers and all streets. it is impossible for the people to have the support an that is what they will get. >> are you telling us that tripoli is going to be the last stand for moammar gadhafi? >> of course. without tripoli, he really does not have libya. he currently has his home right in the center of tripoli as well. without tripoli, he does not have libya. >> thank you ver

tripoli. it is over. it just has not sunk in yet. it is over. he has to leave. >> is the army strong enough to tilt the balance either way? >> i think against him, but i don't think it will be in his favor. so much of the army has deserted. gaddafi pause power now rests with the mercenaries and the committees that are still loyal to him. he has made clear to them, if i fall, you will fall with me. because they have committed so many atrocities this time, they have no choice but to stay with gaddafi and not leave him. >>> i asked another person if he was planning on leaving the city. >> what we are staying. we're not leaving. >> i understand that you went to the hospital to give blood. what did you see? >> today it was very quiet and tripoli because the weather is so cold and it is raining. that kept the protesters inside their houses, and even the army, which has kept the city quiet. but that was today. when i went to the hospital to give blood, there were a lot of people giving blood. we trie

colonel gadhafi is not in control anywhere outside of the capital of tripoli or in tripoli on monday we've seen hundreds of protesters on the streets protesting against the gadhafi regime this protesters apparently resulted in mercenaries firing upon the protesters there's also been reports that security forces fired shots into the air to try and disperse these groups of people on the streets we've been hearing that it's a military base a libyan military base that's now in an area completely under control by opposition forces by the air from libyan jets frontline all of this battle between the opposition forces and those still loyal to colonel gadhafi is happening in a wire around fifty kilometers to the west of the capital tripoli now inside the city it's completely controlled by opposition forces but they are ringed by mercenaries and troops that are loyal to colonel gadhafi and those protesters those anti-government forces that are still inside the city of there where they say that they are planning to make a push against those those forces that are loyal to the current regime lot

only tripoli's left now. everywhere else has fallen and qaddafi's finished. >> this is where the balance of power appears to be now. the rebels control most of the east. the regime holds the capital and qaddafi's hometown cert. other areas are still being fought over. the libyan leader is believed to be based in his compound, the capital. this seems to be the balance of forces. 7,000 to 8,000 in brigades loyal to colonel qaddafi and elite special forces who defected are believed to make up around 5,000. this evening here in libya, state television has been showing pictures of a rally in green square in the center of tripoli. the message from the regime is clear, there are problems in the country blamed by colonel qaddafi on drug-fueled young people and al qaeda. as the regime stayed defiant, colonel qaddafi's i loyalists danced and sang in the center of the capital on a chilly and damp winter night. jeremy bone, "bbc world news," tripoli. >> the man once described as qaddafi's closest left lieutenants who qui

only tripoli is left now. ever were a house has fallen and gaddafi is finished. >> this is where the balance of power appears to be now. the libyan leader is believed to be based in his compound in the capital. this seems to be the balance of forces. 70,000 in brigades loyal to colonel gaddafi and elite, special forces that are said to have defected are to make up about 5000. this is a picture of a rally in green square in the center of tripoli. the center of the message is clear, there are problems in the country, blamed by colonel gaddafi on young people. the protesters stand in the middle of the capital on a chilly and damp winter night. >> the head of the united nations, secretary-general ban ki moon, has been talking about the crisis in libya. he condemned the violence there and called on the u.n. security council to take decisive action. >> it is time for the security council to consider concrete action. the hours and the days ahead will be decisive for libyans and their country with equally important im

tripoli or are you going to stay? >> no, we are staying, we are not leaving. >> i understand that you went to the hospital to give blood. what did you see? >> today is a very quiet day in tripoli because the weather is so cold that it kept the protesters inside their houses, and even the army, which has kept the city so quiet. but that was today. when i went to the hospital and give blood, there were a lot of people giving blood. we tried to investigate the situation, how many people were killed. there are a number of unknowns. we cannot get an exact number because a lot of people are giving blood, and the hospital is packed with people trying to give blood at as much as possible. we don't know what the medical condition, treatment, medical supplies. we tried to ask and see what we could do, what we could offer if there was something we could do. at the situation today in tripoli, i can say, is very quiet and col. -- and calm. >> i have heard eyewitness accounts of killings of people who were in line at a bakery, kill

the fighting is closing in on tripoli. rebels and ruthless mercenaries hired by gadhafi are battling for control of villages less than 100 miles from the capital. >> the streets were being blocked off by sandbags, by blocks, by bricks, by anything that people could use to try to prevent any pro-regime forces from entering into the streets. >> reporter: in the town today, 40 miles west of tripoli, at least ten people were reportedly killed in fighting. but some of the worst violence has been here in benghazi, where hospitals are filled with wounded. >> there is more than 300, more than 300 in benghazi and injured more than 3,000. >> reporter: doctors say the victims were shot with bullets and anti-aircraft rounds. many were executed at close range. [ speaking foreign language ] >> reporter: but today colonel moammar gadhafi downplayed the violence and offered a radically different explanation in a bizarre and revealing radio address. we were in a car as he spoke. his words were slurred. he mumbled, with long pauses. i've li

he be tried at the hague the get out free regime and the people that are still supporting him in tripoli in their bunkers will be able to tell the stories about everything from not could be to how american ritual is going to be his word involved in putting up that regime. and r t brings you an exclusive report from the heart of libya on the horror faced by foreigners traps in the violence and chaos some of whom are unable to leave plus. loyal is the most valuable resource on the planet today. will be more like this for. us closing on the rest of the world has set the price so why gold is skyrocketing setting the stage for a renewed or rush why global powers. and a public outcry in the u.k. over the involvement of controversial u.s. security contractor locking margin in britain's national census reignited a debate on confidentiality and ethics. and in russia the markets are just about to open analysts say oil will continue to drive the russian market but some on the surface also likely to see some gains more in business in twenty minutes. from our studios in moscow you're watching r t tha

and the next time i saw him was in tripoli... was not in tripoli but was in algeria. catherine graham and i had gone to algeria to do some reporting and we learned that he was in the country and wanted to see us. so we flew to iran and sat down and he said they want that he wanted to meet with mrs. graham first alone. and i was a little nervous about that but i said all right and she was eager to do it. and so ten minutes went by, i assumed it was just a polite custom... >> lehrer: was he speaking in english the whole time? >> yes. >> lehrer: okay. >> to her. but i wasn't in the room. i began to get very nervous about it so after 15 minutes i brushed pass security, went in and they were sitting there talking and qaddafi had spent the 15 minutes complaining about a story that the "washington post" had run by bob woodward suggesting he was a pill-popping cross-dressing dictator. and catherine had tried to defend the paper as well. again, qaddafi denied those charges, i'm not sure there were anymore credible than the ones i made against him after khartoum. so those were

bill neely, nbc news, tripoli. >>> and now to those evacuated americans. their escape by ferry boat was delayed by high seas, but they arrived a few hours ago in malta on board the boat chartered by the u.s. nbc's martin fletcher is at the harbor where the ship came in. martin, good evening. >> reporter: brian, this was the end of the nightmare. tripped in libya and then trapped on a boat. tonight tired and happy, 167 americans and 118 other nationals reached safety here in malta. as the 200-foot catamaran chartered by the u.s. government docked in malta, you could feel the sigh of relief. first off, the sick and the elderly and the children. they had been stuck on the boat for 60 hours. the seas were too rough to sail. no beds, nowhere to go, barely enough food, but not a word of complaint. >> we are happy to be here. we are beyond words happy to be here. >> reporter: donald hemphill from peoria, illinois, escaped from libya a week ago. he came to greet his colleagues. >> at least on the boat they were safe and had food and water. >> there was humor too,

it is a massacre taking place in tripoli as we speak? >> it is difficult to parse these things together. because also thehehone lines are cut, so very difficult to get information, but of course, there are some reports saying that indeed, and demonstrators are shot at by air france and that they -- that there are a big group of mercenaries running around in the streets, shooting everyone who basically is out in the streets. what happened in the afternoon is that the people attended some kind of what they call 1 million man march that is, of course, like the to the example of egypt and tried to get a lot of people on the streets to reach the critical mass to overpower the security operatives, but of course, what happened on the other hand is that the libyan military seemed to use their aircraft in order to control the situation. >> what are you hearing in terms of the whereabouts of gaddafi? does anyone know where he is? >> no, it is not clear. there were all kinds of rumors, and in the was the word of the british foreign minister who sai

problems of spread to tripoli. jetfighters are attacking protesters. eric's -- a police station was set on fire. they have left the capital possibly a, maybe even the country. his own people accused him of genocide. we are following events from neighboring tunisia. >> libya is burning, and the fire has spread. things that have been unthinkable have been recorded and smuggled across the internet. for a regime that crush people without mercy, this is the most serious challenge it has ever faced. few diplomats have defected, and many could be wavering. there are rumors, impossible to verify, that muammar qaddafi may even have fled to his hometown. libyans are now finding their voice, even if they are still too terrified to be identified. today, the military. >> the brutal repression by the regime is completely appalling and unacceptable and has no place in our modern world, these aspirations should be met with reform, not repression. >> libya has rarely been susceptible to outside pressure. even so, there is stress. a rambling speech was made this morning

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 im

their eyes are on tripoli.any say they are ready to fight again to protect their new-found freedom. the opposition says it has armed force of 2,000 to support the forces. they will have to travel 700 miles to get to the capitol and go straight through pro gadhafi territory. >> battle to get americans and other foreigners out goes on. martin fletcher is in malta and has that part of the story for us, good even >> reporter: good evening. it is an all-out effort to get the last of the americans out of ing. libya. those who want to go tonight is flying a plane out to bring 150 people to land here in malta. it isn't clear how many americans will be onboard but the british raised the stakes. in the rescue that stephanie referred to in the southern deserts of libya. two planes flew there to take out in several locations citizens who weren't able to make it to the ports or airports. reportedly they had fighters onboard to secure the area. while the evacuees were boarding the planes. they flew to malta here today and th

for joining us now opposition forces in libya say they are planning a final assault on the capital tripoli it's essentially the last part of the contrie that remains under the control of longtime leader colonel gadhafi and post protesters say his days in power are now numbered a recent you would resolution has referred him to the international criminal court for war crimes but some say there are details of his recent friendship with western countries but my other washington or london would like to be revealed well we do have a correspondent in the middle east peter oliver will be bringing us more later in the program. and now as tens of thousands are fleeing libya the international red cross has declared a humanitarian emergency on the country's border with tunisia meanwhile hundreds of russian citizens evacuated from libya have been describing the scenes they saw as chaos erupted around them artes accts on a boycott spoke to some of them. propelled by fear held back by doubt many of those who boarded the last russian emergency plane from libya didn't want to leave but then decided that ar

artsy tripoli. but islands in the arab world has sent oil prices hireling with some suggesting it's just the start of a huge hike that affects the global cost of everything from food to transportation and also threatens to stifle economic recovery now there are some suggesting the u.s. could have certain interest in removing khadafi so as to gain control over libya's oil reserves or his laura lister has more. tunisia. egypt. and bahrain. algeria. and libya protest in countries seeming to fuel one another unrest spreading like wildfire through the middle east and north africa only raging in or near for your great countries that helped fuel the world's use of more than eighty four million barrels of crude a day. uncertainty over production has said prices soaring i mean a shockwave through the middle east turmoil are being felt worldwide the oil is the most valuable resource on the planet today controls the. extreme right now the mideast crisis is hitting home for outrage americans as well prices have

in libya hundreds protest against the gadhafi regime in tripoli as opposition forces prepared to make a final assault on the council. other nations scramble to evacuate their citizens from trouble libya but almost ex types are eager to get out some are reluctant to leave behind the lives they're used to. the oil is a most valuable resource on the planet today and who controls it is extremely important unrest in the oil rich arab nations pushes fuel prices higher with predictions the u.s. might step in to stop its own fragile economy from skidding into troubled. business all prices go on fears that unrest in north africa and the middle east and spreads to the top of use of saudi arabia and us examine if this could have an impact on the price of gas turn we in our business bulletin for economics. and as britain's prepare to tell all the latest national census there's deep concern the u.s. firm collecting the data could dish out to the american intelligence agency by law . seven pm in moscow i match reza good to have you with us here on our key our top story gunfire has been heard on the

regime and the people that are still supporting him in tripoli in their bunkers will be able to tell all the stories about everything from could be. the bridge jobs going to these were involved in covering up the regime. and argy brings you an exclusive report from the heart of would be on the floor space by foreigners trapped in the violence and chaos and unable to leave. the oil is a post that you will resource on the planet. that will. be a school waiting on the rest of the arab world has sent the price of black gold skyrocketing setting the stage for a renewed all russian by global powers. a public outcry the u.k. over the involvement of controversial u.s. security contractor and walking more and in britain's national census reigniting a debate odd confidentiality and ethics. coming to you live from our studios in moscow you're watching r t thanks for joining us now opposition forces in libya say they are planning a final assault on the capital tripoli lets essential leave the last part of the country the remains under the control of longtime leader colonel gadhafi and protesters

joining us now opposition forces in libya say that they're planning a final assault on the capital tripoli well it's essentially the last part of the country that remains under the control of longtime leader colonel gadhafi and protesters say that his days in power are now numbered or recent u.n. resolution has referred him to the international criminal court for war crimes but some say that there are details of his recent friendship with the western countries that neither washington or london would like to be revealed. correspondent in the middle east peter all of or all over has more for cairo or peter now we see that the opposition has taken some cities in libya and now they're saying that they're preparing for a final showdown in the capital but also we know about what's happening over there are lots right the current front line in the battle between opposition forces and those soldiers still loyal to colonel gadhafi is the city of zawiya at the moment that surround fifty kilometers to the west of the capital tripoli the opposition in control of the majority of the city of the country

while qaddafi forces have tripoli on lockdown, rebels have taken a town near tripoli and some areas are forming local governments. the u.n. has imposed sanctions against libya. and the u.s. navy has moved several ships into the red sea in preparation for a possible move into the mediterranean sea. we have a team of correspondents covering the battle for libya. and we begin tonight with kelly cobiella in tripoli. >> reporter: good evening. the one thing qaddafi has going for him is control of tripoli. it was quiet again here today but there were reports that his enemies had scored a victory close by. the government said it wasn't true. and they took us there to try to prove it. the town was heavily armed and guarded, not by qaddafi's men but locals. flying the country's old flag, adopted by the rebels in the east. >> crowds of armed men greeted us in the town square showing posters with qaddafi's head on a rat's body. they battled government forces for three days. >> qaddafi is down. no government. we are free. >> reporter: more than a dozen people reportedly were killed in the clashes.

where are the people killed in tripoli? where? >> reporter: not in your neighborhood? do you think in other neighborhoods? >> maybe, yeah, there is some mistakes happened with some security people. >> reporter: the government invited us here to show us that tripoli is safe, peaceful, and under their control, but the gap between that image and reality is growing. russ? >> mitchell: kelly, given that very violent friday you spoke of a few moments ago, why do you think things have been so quiet there the last 24 hours or so? >> reporter: well, we understand from the qaddafi government that they actually are negotiating with the opposition in the east. however, from what we saw on the streets today, from talking to people, it seems people in tripoli are stocking up and preparing themselves for some hard days ahead. >> mitchell: kelly cobiella in tripoli. thanks. of course, the battle for libya is being fought on several fronts and nowhere is that more apparent than in the eastern part of the country. maundy clark now from the city of el baydah with a look at victims on bot

our top story opposition forces in libya say they're planning a final assault on the capital tripoli it's essentially the last part of the country that remains under the control of longtime leader colonel moammar gadhafi and protesters say his days in power are now numbered receipt a u.n. resolution has referred to him in a controversial critic of the international rather criminal court for war crimes but some say there are details of his recent friendship with western countries that are rushing to north london would like repealed artie's correspond to the middle east peace are all over has more from cairo. the current frontline in the battle between opposition forces and those soldiers still loyal to colonel gadhafi is the city of zawiya the moment that's around fifty kilometers to the west of the capital tripoli the opposition in control of the majority of the city of of a country if not all of its their headquarters based out of thing garvey the second city in libya in the east of the country now that fighting is conti has continued we are hearing of peace in tripoli at the moment

. >>> fighting is intensifying around the libyan capital of tripoli as security forces try to fend off anti-government protesters closing in on the stronghold of the country's leader moammar gadhafi. with help from soldiers who defected from the army, government opponents have taken control over major northeastern cities like benghazi. mizurata is also in their hands. on thursday, fierce clashes between security forces and anti-government groups erupted in a town about 50 kilometers west of tripoli. a demonstrator spoke to nhk over the phone about the crackdown by the government. >> security troops loyal to gadhafi are being dispatched to guard the capital. a tripoli resident said the government is acting like nothing has happened patching up traces of the clashes and erasing graffiti critical to gadhafi. observers say the gadhafi administration is trying to show that the capital is calm. gadhafi blamed the turmoil spreading across the country on al qaeda. he made an audio address on thursday via state-run television. >> gadhafi said the people of libya have it within their power to ch

tripoli. well with libyan oil production down fifty percent it's thought the jump in prices could be just the start of a bumpy all right now surging fuel costs in the united states are threatening to derail the country's economic recovery their results is laura list of find out the political price may be too high for the obama administration. tunisia. egypt. the hurricane. algeria. libya protest in country seeming to a few one another unrest spreading like wildfire through the middle east and north africa oh raging in all year rich countries that helped fuel the world's use of more than eighty four million barrels of crude a day. uncertainty over production has sent prices soaring meaning the shock waves from the middle east turmoil are being felt worldwide will is a most valuable resource on the planet today good for. extreme right now the mideast crisis is hitting home for outteridge americans and oil prices have skyrocketed so too have the prices people paper gasoline and now the price amer

they say that most of the weapons have already been sent to tripoli. the rebels know gadhafi and his family will hang on to tripoli as long as they can. they say they plan to take the city by force. both sides now seem to be consolidating their forces, lester. the rebels here in benghazi and there are reports tonight that gadhafi's forces are planning a counteroffensive around tripoli. >> richard, have any of the rebels you've spoken to, are any talking about what a post-gadhafi government might look like and the risk that libya could become a failed state? >> reporter: there is a risk that it could become a failed state. for 41 years, this country has had no real institutions at all. gadhafi has run it like a cult of personality. there's no constitution. there's no parliament to speak of. so they know they will have to start from scratch. right now, today, they were trying to put a leadership together, even here in benghazi, but so far, they don't have a consolidated leadership in this city alone, let alone a national plan. lester? >> richard engel to

oppression has spread to the capital, tripoli. there are widespread reports of killings and of jet fighters attacking protestors, who set a police station on fire. one area seems to be largely under opposition control. there is word that muammar qaddafi has left the area, possibly even the country. he has been accused of genocide. for her own safety, we cannot reveal their names. she sent to this. >> the saenz would have been unthinkable one week ago are being secretly recorded and smuggled on to the internet. apparently, dissent without mercy. this is the most serious challenge he has ever faced. army units may be wavering. and pundits have been ordered to bomb protesters at. one has requested political asylum. libyans are finding their voice, even if they are too afraid to be identified. >> my friend is 20 years old, and she has only been a bride less than 1 months, and her husband, he got shot. also, a young boy, four bullets. we do not know what to do. >> earhart -- there are signs of strength. >> we will agree on a new libya,

in libya hundreds protest against the gadhafi regime in tripoli as opposition forces prepared to make a final push on the capital. meantime other nations scrambled to evacuate their citizens from troubled libya but while most ex-pats are eager to get out some are reluctant to leave behind their lives they used to as we report boil is the most valuable resource on the planet today that controls is extremely important and rests in the oil rich arab nations pushes fuel prices up with predictions the u.s. might intervene to stop its own fragile economy from skidding into trouble. one of the story as britain's prepared to tell all of the latest national census there's deep concern that the u.s. connecting information could dish out the tainted with molecule intelligence by law . you're watching our ten pm moscow time welcome if you're just joining us my name is kevin our top story tonight gunfire has been heard on the streets of the libyan capital as hundreds of opposition protesters gathered to call for an end to colonel gadhafi his rule there are also reports of pro-government forces lau

was saying was he or where tripoli and you can realize this is not being dictated by washington. and. if you look at. all to other news now the u.k. is preparing for a nationwide census to start next month and the government says it will help provide those services and resources that people need but they link up with a controversial u.s. security firm means that many fear that their privacy will be violated their personal data falling into the wrong hands on his door and that reports. it's census time in the u.k. when every household in the country is asked to provide detailed information about their lives to the government so they can keep track of what's going on and who will be in charge of this sensitive data. yes it's controversial u.s. arms manufacturer a lot he'd malted and campaigners granges for religious groups to peace activists to data protection lobbyists brayley against it on ethical grounds to play on a number of oppressive regimes they also. the us heavily in the wars they fought in iraq and afghanistan are opposed by the majority of people ember and even if suppo

. >> lehrer: it was a day of confrontation and more killing in tripoli, libya. pro-government militias opened fire as protesters poured out of friday prayers. witnesses reported at least four people were killed. by evening, moammar qaddafi was seen again on state tv, urging followers to defend the nation. we begin with a report from john ray of "independent television news," in tunisia. >> reporter: after days of protests and bloody reprisals, colonel qaddafi conjured up crowds of supporters in the center of his capitol. "the time is coming when i will arm you all," he told them. "libya will become a red flame." all this just a few miles from the suburbs where opponents crying "god is great" set out to bring down the leader who symbolizes to so many the very devil himself. there followed the lethal and familiar response. but this was just one of several demonstrations getting ever closer to the heart of the regime. whether he is kidding or really is this confident, the wink from qaddafi's son speaks of a ruling family now certain there can be no escape. >> plan

top story opposition forces in libya are in circling the capital preparing for a final assault on tripoli which is still held by the country's embattled leader protesters had already arrested control of most of the country to try and force colonel moammar gadhafi to step down meanwhile pro-government forces have reportedly opened fire on demonstrators in the city of misurata two hundred kilometers east of tripoli the u.n. is a sure resolution referring to the international criminal court cold war crimes following almost two weeks of bloody crackdowns but experts say any investigation is likely to lift the lid on strengthening friendships with western countries and tales neither washington nor london may want to see in the open archy's correspond in the middle east peter all over as more of. the current front line in the battle between opposition forces and those soldiers. loyal to colonel gadhafi is the city of zawiya at the moment that's around fifty kilometers to the west of the capital tripoli the opposition in control of the majority of the city of the of the country if not all of it

east of the country now they are preparing we are hearing that they will try and move forward into tripoli from zawiya as they close that noose around colonel gadhafi now over the weekend the united nations placed sanctions upon that after the regime took the form of an asset freeze on colonel gadhafi his family and close associates also a travel ban as well as an arms embargo another thing that was included in the in the u.n. resolution was a referral to the international criminal court in the hague the referral would mean that the international criminal court would look into alleged allegations of crimes against humanity in the violence that we've seen in libya well though that investigation up to criminal court has caused some experts to believe that we could see some revelations come out about the relationship between colonel gadhafi and the west for years he was the pariah of countries like britain and the united states in recent years we saw him somewhat rehabilitated you can now hear from an expert about what he believes you could see come out from an investigation i think the ameri

top story opposition forces in libya are in circling the capital prepping for a final assault on tripoli which is still held by the country's embattled leader protesters have already wrested control of most of the country to try and force colonel moammar gadhafi to step down and un has issued a resolution referring to the to the international criminal court for war crimes calling almost two weeks of bloody. crackdowns but experts say any investigation is likely to lift the lid on the strength in friendships with western countries details that neither washington or london they want to see in the open or it is correspondent in the middle east bureau has more from. the current frontline in the battle between opposition forces and those soldiers still loyal to colonel gadhafi is the city of zawiya at the moment now that's around fifty kilometers to the west of the capital tripoli the opposition in control of the majority of the city of detroit you are a few of the country if not all of its their headquarters based out of thing gharazi the second city in libya in the east of the country now t

the media should focus on tripoli. we are thinking now that the media is playing into the hands of colonel gadhafi. the west might try to make up their own state. one thing i have seen inside and outside of the country is unity. people are chanting on the streets. tripoli is our capital. we will save her. libya is being chanted at the moment in the streets. >> you say that there is a rift but the rift we are get getting is that gadhafi is firmly in control of tripoli. is that not the case? >> that is not the case. people are coming out onto the street. he has brought in his loyalists, revolutionary guards and packed the city of tripoli. there are snipers and all streets. it is impossible for the people to have the support and that is what they will get. >> are you telling us that tripoli is going to be the last stand for moammar gadhafi? >> of course. without tripoli, he really does not have libya. he currently has his home right in the center of tripoli as well. without tripoli, he does not have libya. >> thank you ve

they now control the city nearest the capital tripoli. this morning they're waiting for a counterattack. kelly cobiella is in tripoli this morning with the latest. good morning to you. >> terrell, good morning. the government actually told us that this town, the town of zawiyah was in government hands and they took us there yesterday to prove it. when we arrived we saw that, in fact, the rebels are in control of the center of the town. this is home to the second most important oil refinery in the country. it's not clear if they hold the oil refinery, as well. but what is clear is that they're there to fight. the town was heavily armed and guarded. not by gadhafi's men, but locals. flying the country's old flag, adopted by the rebels of the east. crowds of armed men greeted us in the town square, showing posters with gadhafi's head on a rat's body. they battled government forces for three days. the regime calls the rebels in zawiyah terrorists, agents of al qaeda. they told us they're fighting for their future. >> we need freedom. that's a

in libya hundreds protest against the gadhafi regime in tripoli opposition forces prepared to make a final assault on the council. and other nations scramble to evacuate their citizens from troubled libya but most ex-pats are eager to get out some more reluctant some leave behind them by their use of. oil use of our supply of oil resource. was. extremely high the rest of your rich nations pushes fuel prices up with predictions that the u.s. might intervene to stop it so the fragile economy from splitting the trouble. that is britain's preferred to tell all the latest national census this deep concern to us come next think the information could push out the data for american intelligence by law. watching r t at nine pm moscow time on kevin owen with a top story for you tonight and gun fire has been heard on the streets of the libyan capital as hundreds of opposition protesters gather to call for an end to colonel gadhafi is ruled there are also reports of pro-government forces launching airstrikes on protesters in other parts of the country artie's played all over is keeping across de

>> what we're hearing is that there was more killing today in tripoli.knew that that's coming, that was coming. there has been a buildup of this matter over the past four or five days, both from the demonstrators as well as the qaddafi people and his security apparatus or whatever remains of that. we are kind of surprised that it took so long, because qaddafi definitely would have wanted to crush the protesters as soon as possible that have been in the streets of tripoli for the past several days. we think that he didn't do hat, not out of niceity, but just because he could have not arranged for his own security and that's an indication that he doesn't really have much control. in fact, yesterday he appeared or he called rather over the phone to state tv and did not even have a picture of him. >> reporter: mr. eljahmi, what about the speech today what do you make of it? >> this is the basically more desperation, playing to the, trying to show that he has control in terms of imploring his people to retaliate. and it is all desperation. i really think when

answers. >>> welcome back to tripoli. as the world tries to make sense of these lightning movements that are sweeping this part of the world, the arab and muslim world, we're also trying to figure out what this means for the united states, for its strategic interests. how new shaping order over here will shape the united states economy and all sorts of other strategic interests. joining me from washington is author reza aslan. political strategist robert kagan from the brookings institution. our own senior white house correspondent jake tapper. thank you for joining me. jake, i want to ask you first. as so many americans are trying to figure out what this all means, all the revolutions from tunisia to egypt and whatever may unfold here, how should americans make sense of this, jake? >> well, obviously there are different levels to look at. the american ideals of democracy that have eluded much of that part of the world. and there's american strategic interests. it's a double-edged sword. what's going on in the middle east

we heard today on sunday that france suspend their diplomatic ties with tripoli the russian embassy in the capital of libya will be taking care of french citizens until the french government can work out a way to get them out of the country well prime minister but out of here putin has said this country libya should be allowed to determine its own future once this bloody violence has died down it was because. you were concerned about things happening in libya please note the following the north african so of al-qaeda is also concerned about what is happening in libya do you think this is a coincidence but i'd like to go back in history a little bittersweet the former leader of the iranian revolution where did you live but he lived in paris and there's a whole he was supported by the western community you would enjoy it now. the entire western community fights against the iranian nuclear program i remember just recently our partners were very active and said no to the democratic elections in the published and you know for me and hamas won and immediately declared how much a terrorist

embassy in tripoli.the capitol today, forces loyal to qaddafi opened fire on protesters as they left friday prayers. later, qaddafi spoke in the main square, imploring supporters to "dance, sing, and prepare to defend libya." the country's deputy u.n. ambassador, who has denounced qaddafi, got emotional today, calling him a mad man who will try to stay in control until he is killed or commits suicide. more than 200 americans were evacuated from libya today, most by ferry to malta, others on a charter flight to turkey. we have a team of cbs news correspondents in the region. first kelly cobiella in tripoli. kelly, i understand it was quite an ordeal just getting into the city. >> reporter: katie, we were held at the airport for about two hours before government agents drove us to the hotel. inside the terminal, it is absolute chaos. people are lying around in dirty blankets. most of them are foreign nationals who came here to work and now can't leave. the workers inside the airport are wearing masks becau