Pressure has been mounting on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi as unrest spreads in Libya - but one of his seven sons has revealed in an interview the tyrant intends to stay.
Saadi Gaddafi has told the Financial Times the Colonel expects to be the "big father" advisor to any new regime in the country.
He said his father was prepared to work with a new order despite the fact he is rapidly losing his grip on the country.
Many senior aides have resigned after international condemnation of Gaddafi's violent and bloody crackdown on protesters.
But Saaid Gaddafi told the FT the country's current unrest was like a "positive earthquake" that is paving the way for much-needed reform.
On Wednesday the Libyan publication Quryna reported a Libyan Air Force jet had crashed near Benghazi after crew bailed out because they refused to follow orders to bomb the city.
And a senior aide to one of Gaddafi's other sons - Saif al-Islam Gaddafi - has resigned to be free to protest against the violence sweeping the country.
Youssef Sawani, who was the executive director of the Gaddafi Foundation, said: "I resigned from the Gaddafi Foundation to express dismay against violence."
Meanwhile, a Swedish newspaper alleged Gaddafi had ordered the Lockerbie bombing, and said it had proof from the former Libyan justice minister to back up its claims.
David Cameron said the UN Security Council should send a "very clear warning" to Colonel Gaddafi.
US President Barack Obama has said the bloodshed and suffering is "outrageous and unacceptable".
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told a press conference those responsible for the violence "must be held accountable" and said the international community must "remain united and act together".
The UN's top human rights official has said the international community may need to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians from attacks by government aircraft.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said: "If unconfirmed reports of aerial attacks against civilians turn out to be true, I think there's an immediate need for that level of protection."
French President Nicholas Sarkozy urged the EU to suspend all economic ties with Libya and to adopt sanctions against the country following violent protests.
In a statement Mr Sarkozy said:"I ask the foreign minister to propose to our European partners the adoption of quick, concrete sanctions so that all those implicated in the violence know that they will have to assume the consequences of their actions."
The Arab League has now barred Libya from attending meetings of the bloc until it ends its crackdown on protesters, which it said was a violation of human rights.
A defiant Mr Gaddafi has refused to step down, however, declaring on state TV last night: "I will die here as a martyr."
The embattled tyrant vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" and called on supporters to attack protesters he labelled "rats".
Thousands have taken to the streets in recent days to oppose Mr Gaddafi's 41-year rule.
Reports have emerged that 250 died in the Libyan capital Tripoli overnight, as military aircraft fired on crowds.
Nearly 300 people have been killed during the unrest in the oil-rich nation, according to a partial count by Human Rights Watch.
But the Italian foreign minister said he believed as many as 1,000 people have likely to have been killed.
The 68-year-old Libyan leader - shouting loudly and punching the air throughout his tirade - warned that armed protesters and "spies" would face a "death sentence".
He insisted foreign leaders were conspiring against the country.
Celebratory gunfire by Mr Gaddafi's supporters rang out in the capital of Tripoli after the speech.
But in Libya's second-largest city Banghazi, which is in the hands of protesters, people threw shoes at a screen showing his address, venting their contempt.
The Arab world's longest-serving leader has seen his reign come under threat as cracks formed within his government and the army this week.
The foreign office has been accused of being "slow off the mark" in getting help to British nationals stuck in Libya amid violent protests.
Many countries around the world are trying to evacuate thousands of stranded foreign nationals.
:: British citizens who want to book on one of the foreign office charter flights are urged to call 0207 008 0000 or 021 340 3644/45 from Libya.
:: British citizens in Libya who need help or advice are urged to call 00218 21 335 1084. From the UK, the number to call for advice is 020 7008 1500.
:: Airlines BA and BMI each operate daily Tripoli-Heathrow flights. BA, BMI and Emirates have cancelled all flights in and out of Tripoli today.
source: web.orange.co.uk
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