BREAKING NEWS

Libyan interior minister: Gaddafi will stay to the end

By JPOST.COM STAFF

FEBRUARY 22, 2011 23:58

Libyan Interior Minister Abdel Fattah Younes al Abidi announced his defection and support for the "February 17 revolution," Al Jazeera reported Tuesday night. The channel aired amateur video footage that showed Abidi at his desk reading a statement that also called on the Libyan army to join the people and support their "legitimate demands."

In an interview with the Al Arabiya television network, Younnes said, "I begged Gaddafi not to send planes, I called him. Now of course we don't speak, I have joined the revolution," Al Jazeera reported.

"I gave orders to my men in Benghazi not to shoot protesters, not one of my men shot at protesters," he added. "I guarantee that none of my men shot at protesters."

Discussing the position of the security forces, the former interior minister said: "What I know is that the Free officers of Libya have stopped their support of Gaddafi, his Security Battalion remain," according to the report.

"Stand courageously, people of Libya," he added.

Speculating on whether Gadaffi will step down in the face of overwhelming protests, Younes said: "From my knowledge of Gaddafi, he won't leave; he will stay to the end, but he will stay alone."

China must stop aiding Russia if seeks good relations with West - NATO

By REUTERS

04/25/2024 09:39 PM

Israel willing to consider accepting 20 hostages as part of deal

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/25/2024 09:08 PM

WH: Up to governors, not Biden to call National Guard on campuses

By HANNAH SARISOHN

04/25/2024 08:40 PM

White House: There's not going to be a two-state solution with Hamas

By HANNAH SARISOHN

04/25/2024 08:28 PM