Libyan Regime Under Siege as Protests Escalate

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi briefly appeared on state television early Tuesday as his faltering 40-year regime showed more signs of crumbling in the face of a widespread popular uprising that has escalated into open, deadly confrontation.

Mr. Gadhafi, who appeared under a large umbrella learning out from the front seat of a van, said he was in Tripoli and not Venezuela. Reports on Monday said the Libyan leader was seeking asylum in the South American country.

Reports from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, said helicopters and warplanes struck parts of the city Monday but Mr. Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, said the planes had only hit ammunition dumps. Witnesses in Tripoli gave multiple accounts of armed African mercenaries opening fire on protesters. Two residents said they saw African soldiers deplane from military transport flights at an airbase near the capital.

VOA Correspondent Elizabeth Arrott speaks with Middle East Monitor Host Susan Yackee:

Residents said crowds of pro-Gadhafi supporters took over Tripoli's Green Square after truckloads of militamen had arrived and opened fire on anti-regime demonstrators. The country's legislative branch and two buildings housing Libyan television channels were among government buildings set ablaze as opposition activists battled security forces and government supporters.

Human Rights Watch says it has confirmed 233 people killed in five days of violence, mostly in the country's eastern provinces which have reportedly now fallen under the control of anti-Gadhafi forces.

The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights said Monday at least nine Libyan cities, including Benghazi, Sirte and Misrata, were in the hands of the protesters. Reports cannot be independently confirmed and communications with Libya from outside the country remain difficult.