Tripoli - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi told crowds of supporters in Tripoli's central Green Square on Friday to "prepare to defend Libya".
Gaddafi told the cheering crowd from the top of a building, that if necessary, arms depots would be thrown open to arm his people for battle.
Images on state television showed the 68-year-old leader repeatedly raising his arms and shaking his fists during the brief appearance while shouting that the Libyan people "love Gaddafi".
"We will fight and we will beat them," he said.
Hundreds of people, including many young men and women, cheered and raised portraits of the ruler in a frenzied demonstration of support which continued after the leader had withdrawn.
Almost the entire east of the north African country has slipped from Gaddafi's control since a popular uprising began with protests in the port city of Benghazi on February 15.
Hundreds of people have been killed in a brutal crackdown and tens of thousands of foreigners are scrambling to leave the country.
Gaddafi loyalists had earlier killed several people in shooting that spread through the capital.
- AFP
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