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Monday 28 February 2011

Live Blog - Libya Feb 28

By Al Jazeera Staff in on February 27th, 2011.
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As the uprising in Libya continues, we update you with the latest developments from sources, news agencies and citizens across the globe. Al Jazeera is not responsible for content derived from external sites.

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AJE Live Stream - Special Coverage: Libya Uprising - Twitter Audio: Voices from Libya

Benghazi Protest Radio (Arabic)

(All times are local in Libya GMT+2)

Timestamp:
7:13am

The Libyan capital appears to be a lonely outpost for supporters of Gaddafi as the anti-Gaddafi camp gains control of more cities. Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from the eastern city of Benghazi with more on the opposition's growing area of control:

6:48am

We're getting reports that the country's second most important military airport, not far from Benghazi, has fallen to the protesters.

Private jets and civilian aircraft at the Al Banin airport were seen grounded. Military personnel say they have joined the people's revolution.

If true, the takeover would mark another blow to Gaddafi's regime.

Timestamp:
6:15am

Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, has entered a state of revolutionary normalcy.

4:34am

This video has emerged online in the past few hours. It shows Saif Gaddafi beating the drums of war - something of a contrast to his calm approach to his recent TV interviews.

  • Much of the audio can't be distinguished clearly, but here's a translation of the bits we could make out:

    Saif says:

    We are busy but still wanted to come here. I am here to raise your morale. Let me say something....listen brothers: They, the enemy forces, are spreading rumours that our police and security forces are joining the hooligans. It's not true. Today we will show them that the police is siding with Libya.

    I am bringing you reinforcements, resources, food, weapons, everything you need. We are doing well. Today I have brought you meat and rice. This is your country. We have all the resources we need, but your country needs you ...

    I have come today to you with weapons. Tonight we will [inaudible] in Tripoli.

    Crowd:

    We are here with you. God is great. Allah, Muammar and Libya - we will sacrifice our lives for you.

    Al Jazeera you are a disgrace.

  • Timestamp:
    3:32am

    Gadaffi appeared ditched by yet another close confidant on Sunday - the Ukrainian nurse thought to have a close relationship with him.

    Halyna Kolotnytska, 38, arrived in Kiev on a plane that evacuated 122 Ukrainians and 68 foreign nationals from the violence-torn North African country.

  • Timestamp:
    2:48am

    US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says that the United States is reaching out to Libyan opposition groups.

    We are reaching out to many different Libyans in the east as the revolution moves westward there as well ... It is too soon to see how this is going to play out.

    A spokesman for the new National Libyan Council, which formed in the eastern city of Benghazi after it was taken by anti-Gaddafi forces, said his group did not want any foreign intervention.

  • Timestamp:
    1:44am

    We hear that one of Libya's two main mobile phone providers has been hacked - by it's own employees. They've been topping up everyone's credit to ensure no-one runs out, a contact tells our correspondent in Benghazi. Unfortunately, it doesn' t help much - as network coverage is pretty poor and intermittent, he tells us.

  • Timestamp:
    1:40am

    Wondering how Gaddafi stayed in control for so many years? He didn't do it by himself. Here's a look at some of the most influential members of the Libyan regime: Inside Gaddafi's inner circle

  • Timestamp:
    1:28am

    With Gaddafi continuing to hold power, thoughts among Benghazi's revolutionaries are reportedly turning to the march on Tripoli. And some are already heading in that direction - circumventing the Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte by travelling hundreds of kilometres in a large arc to the south, our correspondent reports. Citizens were today queuing up to join the local militia - which has been named The Liberation Army Of The Free Libya.

  • Timestamp:
    1:25am

    The former military garrison in Benghazi now resembles a tourist site, our correspondent says, with the city's residents curiously exploring the officers' quarters, underground tunnels - and prison cells. "They're posing for pictures and collecting souvenirs," he says. Yet the abandonment of the base has had its price:

    Outside, the walls of residences and businesses in the surrounding blocks are pockmarked with bullet holes. One building has a gaping hole in it that I was told came from a tank round.

  • Timestamp:
    1:15am

    Our correspondent in Benghazi - who also covered the Egyptian revolution for Al Jazeera - tells us of the generous hospitality being offered to journalists by Libyans.

    Often they simply give you food and tea and coffee for free, no questions asked. Hotel rooms were free up until today, when the volunteer management - most of the employees have fled or just stopped showing up -decided they needed to start charging.

    Everyone is excited to see foreign journalists around, and the atmosphere here is markedly less tense than Cairo, for instance. Men with AK-47s wave us through roadblocks instead of subjecting us to intense checks.

  • Timestamp:
    12:15pm

    Protesters chanting are met with an array of gun fire. Sent in from Tripoli.


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