Two stories on Libya's very own 'rodent' or 'vermin', Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who is speculated to depart for the close of this month and in time for 'Eid' festival.
Gaddafi on Rats and Colonialists
Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi predicted the near end of "rats" and "colonialism" in a voice message aired by national TV Monday.
Gaddafi described freedom-seeking-rebels as rats, and NATO forces as colonialists in his address to the people. National TV claimed that due to technical problems the voice-cast was almost inaudible.
Gaddafi called upon Libyans to free the country from "traitors." This address came after dramatic developments on Saturday, as rebels won control of the town of Zawiyah, 50 km west of Tripoli on the coast, enabling them to stop food and fuel supplies from Tunisia to the capital.
R.Z.
NNA
U.S. suggests Gadhafi take the hint
Defections from the regime of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi suggest he should take the hint and step down, the U.S. State Department said.
Various media reports have suggested Libyan Interior Minister Nasser al-Mabruk Abdullah arrived in Cairo, though it was unclear if he'd defected.
Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, in a statement to reporters, said she wasn't in a position to confirm the minister's intentions but felt it was a sign Gadhafi's inner circle was seeing the writing on the wall.
We've seen a steady march of senior Gadhafi officials abandoning him and we think this is further to the importance of him taking the hint and stepping down,
she said.
Gadhafi in an audio message broadcast on Libyan television made similar claims regarding NATO forces enforcing a no-fly zone over the country, CNN reported Monday.
Rebel forces in Libya have moved within 38 miles of Tripoli. Gadhafi has held out against NATO and rebel assaults at least since March, when the U.N. Security Council authorized international military force in Libya.
The rebel-backed Transitional National Council, despite some fracturing in recent weeks, has gained widespread recognition as the sole governmental authority in Libya despite the slow progress of the military campaign.
By UPI Emerging Threats
