Gaddafi’s son blames opposition from outside for unrest in Libya

Sayf al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of the Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi, has blamed opposition members outside the country of organizing protests in Libya.

The protests in Libya, one of the world’s major oil suppliers, started on February 15 amid violent anti-government demonstrations across the Middle East.

“They are trying to repeat scenarios of Egypt and Tunisia,” he said in an interview with the state television late on Sunday.

He said oppositionists outside the country are using Facebook and e-mails for calls to take to the streets and join the anti-government protests, adding however that there are also oppositionists inside the country supporting the ongoing unrest.

Some Arab media sources reported earlier that a part of the Army and some law enforcement officers changed the sides and joined the opposition.

Sayf al-Islam Gaddafi rejected the reports saying that the Army stays with his father and the country.

“The Army will be defending Libya, Tripoli and Muammar Gaddafi until the last drop of blood is shed,” he said.

Riots are largely centered in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Bayda and Tobruk, but there are reports that unrest has been spreading to the west of the country.

Local media reported earlier that protests erupted in Tripoli, the country’s capital, where police clashed with demonstrators.

Al-Jazeera news agency reports of gunfire in the capital and police using tear gas against the demonstrators, while Egyptian TV channel Nile News reports that several cars were set on fire in the city.

Sayf al-Islam Gaddafi added that hundreds of thousand people still support his father, while tens of thousand are currently on their way to Tripoli to defend Muammar Gaddafi.

“The integrity of Libya as well as its sovereignty are in danger,” he said.

He also proposed the opposition to begin a dialogue on Monday concerning democratic reforms.

“We must take the chance of holding unprecedented for Libya reforms,” Sayf al-Islam said adding that the reforms are needed in order to avoid a split in the country and possibly a subsequent civil war.

He explained that Libya, in comparison with Egypt and Tunisia, consists of tribes, which would go into war against each other in case there is no central power in the country.

“For decades to come we will forget about development, education and health care,” he said adding that all companies working in the country would immediately leave Libya in case of such development of events.