State Department spokesman Philip Crowley says the U.S. has
raised strong objections with Libyan officials, including Foreign
Minister Musa Kusa, about the use of lethal force against demonstrators.
Crowley says the U.S. reiterated "the importance of universal rights, including freedom of speech and peaceful assembly."
Protests against the longtime rule of Moammar Gadhafi reached
the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Sunday, and protesters seized military bases and weapons. Forces loyal to Gadhafi have responded with violence, and medical officials, human rights groups and exiled dissidents say more than 200 have been killed.
The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says his father is in the country and backed by the army.
Appearing on Libyan state television early Monday morning, Seif
al-Islam Gadhafi said: "We will fight to the last minute, until
the last bullet."
Earlier he said protesters have seized control of some military
bases, weapons and tanks and he warned of civil war in the country
that would burn its oil wealth.
He offered to put forward reforms within days that he described
as a "historic national initiative." He said the regime was willing to remove some restrictions and to begin a discussion of the constitution. He offered to change a number of laws, including
those covering the media.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/2/236361