Post date: Feb 24, 2011 4:42:41 PM
Muammar Gaddafi blames al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for stirring descent in Libya. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.
LIBYA-GADDAFI UPDATE - Amid reports that fierce fighting continues across Libya, Muammar Gaddafi took to the airwaves -- calling in to State TV to blame al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for stirring descent throughout the country.
In the telephone address he said, quote "Bin Laden ... this is the enemy who is manipulating people...Do not be swayed by bin Laden."
Gaddafi also called on citizens to "leave the country calm." -- saying they were fighting among themselves and had been taking hallucinogenic drugs.
His comments come amid reports that rebels are seizing important towns close to the capital Tripoli.
World leaders have condemned Gaddafi's bloody crackdown on the week-long revolt, but are doing little to halt the bloodshed from the latest upheaval reshaping the Arab world.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.