Speaking on state television, the embattled Gaddafi insisted the uprising against his 41-year rule was not a people's revolt but driven by 'trigger-happy' youths 'stoned with drugs' inspired by Osama bin Laden. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BENGHAZI - MUAMMAR Gaddafi blamed Al-Qaeda on Thursday for an insurrection wracking Libya as he addressed his divided nation for the second time this week to galvanise support for his crumbling regime.
Speaking on state television, the embattled Gaddafi insisted the uprising against his 41-year rule was not a people's revolt but driven by 'trigger-happy' youths 'stoned with drugs' inspired by Osama bin Laden.
'These are the ones who are under Bin Laden's influence and authority, under the influence of drugs.'
US President Barack Obama and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy blamed Gaddafi for 'the continuing brutal and bloody repression' of his people, as they reiterated a demand 'for an immediate halt to the use of force against the civilian population.'
Hundreds of people have been killed amid a brutal crackdown by Gaddafi's forces since the uprising started in the eastern city of Benghazi on Feb 15, according to human rights groups, while some politicians say the toll could be as high as 1,000. -- AFP
0 Comments:
Post a Comment