Gaddafi plans full-scale military attack

Libyan leader Col Gaddafi says he will launch a full-scale military war to crush the growing rebellion

As the conflict in Libya deepens, Col Gaddafi has announced he will launch a full-scale military attack against the rebellion and has refused to surrender even if Western forces move in.

Prime Minister David Cameron and the French leader Nicolas Sarkozy last night issued a statement demanding Col Gaddafi stand down insisting his regime had lost any legitimacy it once had.

The calling came as Gaddafi’s forces bombarded the main hospital, mosques and civilian areas in the key oil port of Ras Lanouf, killing and wounding dozens of civilians in recent days.

But the Libyan leader’s son Saif said yesterday that the time for talking had passed and massed forces were on the move. The London-educated younger Mr Gaddafi says: ‘We will never give up. We will never ever surrender. This is our country. We fight here in Libya.’

Once recognised as the Western-friendly face of Libya, Saif insisted: ‘The Libyan people, we will never ever welcome Nato, we will never ever welcome Americans here. Libya is not a piece of cake.’

Describing the rebels determined to end Gaddafi’s 41-year rule as terrorists and armed gangsters, Saif claimed thousands of Libyan’s had volunteered to fight them. ‘Now it’s too late for them. We are so united; we are so strong. Libya will be free and peaceful soon.’

Gulf Arab ministers meeting in Saudi Arabia urged theArab League to step in and issue no-fly zones to ensure the protection of civilians.

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