Live Blog - Libya

By Al Jazeera Staff in Middle East on February 21th, 2011

(All times are local in Libya)

February 21

5:50pm: Geneva-based Libyan News Network reports phones cut in Tripoli, amid "massacre" in Green Square. More details being sought.

5:40pm: Two civilian helicopters, followed by two Libyan fighter jets, have landed in Malta. Only one of at least seven passengers are reported to be carrying passports. All passengers are currently being held by immigration officials. Al Jazeera's Karl Stagno-Novarra, reporting from Malta, says the Mediterranean island is preparing to be used as a base for evacuation of European citizens from Libya, one hour's flight away.

5:37pm: At EU crisis talks in Brussels, Alexander Stubb, Finland's foreign minister, tells Al Jazeera:

It is up to the leadership of Libya to listen to its people. And to be quite honest, listening people does not mean you should be using a machine gun.

5:25pm: Demonstrations in solidarity with anti-Gaddafi protesters have broken out at Libyan embassies and consulates around the world. Here are some photos sent to us from Malta:

5:10pm: The Egyptian Association for Human Rights is calling on the military to evacuate Egyptians from Libya, saying Seif Gaddafi's speech last night - during which he blamed "foreign forces" (among other elements) - threatened Egyptians in Libya.

5:07pm: Ahmad Jibreel, Libyan diplomat, tells Al Jazeera:

The minister of security has, by the way, joined too … He is currently in Benghazi - actually he is with the people, he is one of the people starting to fight the mercenaries and Gaddafi’s guards

4:58pm: A Libyan consul secretary, a translator and a receptionist have quit their jobs at the embassy in Stockholm. In a letter, they write:

We condemn the genocide of civilians taking place in Libya following their legitimate demands of life in dignity and without the despot Gadaffi's continued mismanagement and corruption.

We find the situation unbearable: we don't want to be passive when we see that people rise up against the tyrant despite the obvious risk that their blood is spilled. Therefore we resign in protest and urge others to make their voices heard.

Translator Sayed Jalabi adds:

It is because of what is happening in Libya. We believe that we can not continue working at an embassy, which stands for a regime that oppresses and mass-murdering people.

4:51pm: Gaddafi's security forces reportedly surround the home of Jumaa Al Ousta - general secretary of Libya's trade and industry chamber. They are threatenening to burn it down, after he was critical of Gaddafi in an interview with Al Jazeera.

4:45pm: A White House official tells reporters President Obama's administration is "seeking clarification" from Libyan counterparts "as we continue to raise with them the need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters and to respect human rights". Says they are analysing last night's speech by Saif Gaddafi "to see what possibilities it contains for meaningful reform".

4:40pm: Four helicopters reported to be circling Green/Martyrs' Square, where protesters have gathered in central Tripoli.

4:35pm: The World Economic Forum has suspended Seif Gaddafi from its Forum of Young Global Leaders group.

4:26pm: Medical sources report 18 South Korean workers were injured when gunmen attacked their company facility. Al Jazeera is seeking further information on the location of the shooting and industry - and current health - of the workers involved.

4:24pm: The death toll from clashes in Tripoli - today - has reached 61, report our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic.

4:21pm: Eyewitnesses report fire breaking out at a police station in Tripoli, while security forces loot banks and government organisations across the city

4:17pm: Reuters reports the Libyan justice minister has resigned in support of the protests.

URL du live: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya