THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Col Gaddafi of Libya was making a last desperate attempt to face down protesters threatening to come on to the streets of the Libyan capital on Friday, offering concessions but threatening no mercy to those who disobey his calls to stay at home.
As world leaders met to discuss how to stop the crisis, state television promised pay rises to state workers and cash hand-outs equal to around £300.
But protesters in Tripoli said they had been warned to stay at home during demonstrations planned for after Friday prayers in Green Square, or risk being shot on sight.
"Thousands are still prepared to defy Gaddafi by taking to the streets today," said one resident. "The time for change has come. The dictator has to step down. We know he has ordered his troops to shoot on sight, but we are ready."
Other residents confirmed reports that regime forces were trying to clear away the evidence of the wave of killing in Tripoli earlier in the week.
One resident told CBS news network that he saw 62 bodies in Green Square after violence on Tuesday but that the bodies were now being removed to an unknown location. Forces were even killing the wounded in hospital, he said.
"They go in with guns into hospitals," he said. "They take the bodies that are dead. In some hospitals, they have shot the wounded. This is true." >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Friday, February 25, 2011
