Rediff.com takes a look at some of the most brutal and oppressive tyrants on the planet
Libyan jets pummeled rebel-held Ras Lanuf and took control of oil town of Zawiyah, amid growing global pressure on Muammar Gaddafi to quit as France became the first country to recognise the opposition National Council.
With Internet connections blocked and telephone lines cut, the news of how those wanting to see Gaddafi's exit from the country are waging their battle, has been hard to come by.
Sending a tough message to Muammar Gaddafi, United States President Barack Obama on Monday said that the Libyan leader would be held accountable for any violence that happens in the country now.
Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi struck hard at rebels advancing towards Tripoli and pounded the oil port eastern city of Ras Lanuf, as the US mulled land and air options amid growing pressure to arm the out-gunned opposition.
"All my people love me," embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said, adding that his people would die to protect him. Sixty-eight-year-old Gaddafi facing a popular uprising and mounting global pressure to step down, also flatly denied there have been demonstrations against him. His comments came even as protesters took control of towns in eastern parts of the north African country and closed in on Libyan capital Tripoli.
Embattled Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was pushed further to the brink as opposition forces stormed closer to the capital Tripoli and the international community stepped up pressure on him to leave the country to bring an end to the fighting that has claimed at least 1,000 lives.
Britain, which has already revoked Muammar Gaddafi's diplomatic immunity on Monday, ruled out giving refuge to the Libyan dictator who is "responsible for deaths of hundreds of civilians."
In a tough message hours after the United Nations slapped 'biting' sanctions on the Libyan regime, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told a bellicose Muammar Gaddafi to leave the country and end his regime as soon as possible.
Libya's embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday scrambled hard to stick to power as anti-regime protesters gained control of several eastern cities and the revolt moved closer to the capital Tripoli with many army officers defecting to join the uprising.
Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam, who was rumoured to have been arrested by rebels, appeared at the Rixos hotel in Tripoli in the wee hours of Tuesday and spoke to some of the journalists staying there. Rebel leaders had claimed that Seif al-Islam had been arrested and he was expected to be tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Putting these speculations to rest, Seif al-Islam made an appearance at the hotel in an armoured vehicle.
United States President Barack Obama led world leaders on Monday in conveying that there was no turning back the clock in Libya and tyrant Muammar Gaddafi had no place in the future set-up of the strategic north African country. "The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple. Gaddafi and his regime need to recognise that their rule has come to an end," the US President said as Libyans around the world celebrated the imminent end of the man who ruled Libya for 42 years.
In response to Switzerland's plan to ban the construction of minarets on mosques, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has called for jihad against one of the most peaceful nations in the world. "Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against (the Prophet) Muhammad, God and the Koran," The Times quoted Colonel Gaddafi as saying. In November, an overwhelming majority of the Swiss population voted against the construction of new minarets.
Gaddafi and his wife were in the Tripoli house of his 29-year-old son, Saif al-Arab, when it was hit by at least one missile fired by a NATO warplane late last night, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said on Sunday.
Making his first public appearance since the launch of coalition air strikes on his forces, a defiant Muammar Gaddafi pledged victory and said he was ready to die as a "martyr" in Libya. "In the short term, we'll beat them, in the long term, we'll beat them," thundered Gaddafi, who slammed the West, calling the attack an "unjust aggression".
After a series of counter-attacks by troops of Muammar Gaddafi, the outgunned and loosely organised rebels were on Sunday pushed out of the eastern oil town of Brega, as the Arab League supported a 'no-fly' zone to halt the advance of the Libyan military to the opposition stronghold of Benghazi. The army loyal to Gaddafi has cleared 'armed gangs' from Brega, the Libyan state TV was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera channel. "Brega has been cleansed of armed gangs," it said.
In a clear message to Muammar Gaddafi and his aides, the United States has said they would be held accountable for human rights violations against their own people, even if the Libyan leader leaves the country, putting an end to his over four-decade long regime.
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has hinted that he is ready to give up power after 41 years, but only if a rebel interim council gives him a pile of cash and assures him immunity from criminal prosecution.The dictator is said to have proposed a meeting of the Libyan Parliament to agree to a transition period to pave the way for him to step down. His terms include immunity from criminal prosecution and a pile of cash.
Pro-Gaddafi forces were locked in a fierce battle with rebels in Libya's east to reclaim the lost territory as the regime scrambled hard to quell fresh protests in Tripoli, amid reports that at least 49 people were killed in the fighting and explosions in a military arms depot.
Addressing his supporters in Tripoli on Wednesday, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi on Wednesday dismissed allegations about his tyrannical rule and claimed that power was in the hands of the people of the nation.
"Kashmir should be an independent state, not Indian, not Pakistani. We should end this conflict. It should be a Ba'athist state between India and Pakistan," the Libyan leader said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
A video clip showing Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi stepping off the plane which brought him home from his Scottish prison two weeks ago will be projected onto a giant screen in Tripoli's Green Square during the two-hour spectacular, the Times reports.
Libyans from all walks of life gave Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi a rapturous welcome on his return to his native Libya late Thursday night, even as the survivors and relatives of those killed condemned his release and clamoured for justice.
It's time New Delhi gives some clarity to its Libya policy so as to secure its energy and business interests in the north African nation, says Harsh V Pant
France on Thursday said the death of Muammar Gaddafi marked the end of 40 years of tyranny in Libya and pledged its support to the people of the country for readying a political roadmap.
Founder of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party Prof Bhim Singh passed away in Jammu on Tuesday after being unwell for about a month. He was 81.
India and Libya discussed ways to boost their relationship, particularly in the IT and Oil sector during talks visiting Petroleum Minister Murli Deora had with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli.
Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who plays for Serie A side Perugia, has tested positive for norandrosterone.
The full-court press on India over Ukraine, the BBC 'documentary', the Oxfam report, the Hindenburg attack on Adani and obliquely on the Indian economy, and any number of other acts are signs that India is a target, warns Rajeev Srinivasan.
The Brazilian World Cup winner topped a poll for the 'Golden Dustbin' award by Italian radio listeners.
A group of Indian nurses, who were evacuated from Libya by the government, arrived in Kochi in the early hours of Friday morning.
Egyptian coach Hossam Al Badri was shot at in Libya on Saturday, hours after his team Al Ahli Tripoli had drawn a league match.
In yet another controversial jibe, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has said women in the Islamic world like wearing burqas because it is easier as they do not have to wear makeup.
A video purportedly made by Islamic State and posted on social media sites on Sunday appeared to show militants shooting and beheading about 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya.
Women in war-torn countries battle on the front lines
It is not every day that one of the planet's richest men is arrested by his government.
'North Korea could choose to go China's way by selectively opening up the economy, but Kim does not seem enthused by the idea.' 'Getting Pyongyang to give up the nuclear programme may be the best outcome Trump can hope for at the moment,' says Vikram Johri.
In a letter to the North Korean dictator, the US president says talks are 'inappropriate' based on the open hostility displayed in the recent statement.
Former Telecom Minister A Raja on Sunday said he was ready to serve life imprisonment if a single rupee or dollar was found in any offshore account in his name.
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