Live coverage of protests in Libya | Al Jazeera

Al-Jazeera English is reporting that two senior Libyan colonels have flown their jets to Malta, rather than carry out orders to bomb the Libyan city of Benghazi, a stronghold of the protesters. http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now

Tensions in the Middle East continue to flare as protest after protest continues to spread like a wave across the region, and brutal regimes like Libya and Iran continue their crackdowns.

• In Libya, hospitals are flooded with wounded and funerals continue for those killed during protests of the regime. The NYtimes reports that “Qaddafi’s Grip on Power Seems to Ebb” as in some areas, security forces are retreating in the face of protests.
• In Iran, protests continued as security forces counter-protests and wielded batons against protesters.
• In Yemen and Morocco, protests clamoring for regime changed continued.
• In Bahrain, protesters continued to occupy a central square.

For an excellent roundup, see this “SoupSoup” tumblr post and the Times’ special coveage. For up to the-minute reports, check out Al-Jazeera English.

Read more here: Mideast Update: Blood Spilling in Libya, Iran, While Protests Spread | AlterNet.

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Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has appeared on state television to signal his defiance in the face of a mounting revolt against his 41-year rule.

“I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe the channels belonging to stray dogs,” Gaddafi told Libyan state TV, which said he was speaking outside his house on Tuesday

Read more here: Gaddafi’s hold on Libya weakens – Africa – Al Jazeera English.

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CAIRO — The faltering government of the Libyan strongman, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, struck back at mounting protests against his 40-year rule as security forces and militiamen backed by helicopters and warplanes besieged parts of the capital on Monday, according to witnesses and news reports from Tripoli.

Read more here: Qaddafi’s Forces Strike With Fury as Unrest Grows – NYTimes.com.