27 Feb 2011

Gaddafi to arm supporters amid more gunfire in Tripoli

5:03 pm on 27 February 2011

People in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, are braced for further battles after the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, said he would open weapons depots to arm his supporters.

Latest reports from Tripoli say gunfire was heard during the night, and one resident says power has been cut. The man told the BBC he was returning from Friday prayers when gunmen in an ambulance opened fire on worshippers.

The UN estimates more than 1000 people have died in the 10-day-old revolt.

Evacuations of thousands of foreign workers are continuing, by air, by sea and overland, but some remain trapped.

On Friday, an anti-government demonstration in Tripoli came under heavy gunfire.