TRIPOLI, Libya (UPI) -- A son of Libya's longtime leader warned civil war could erupt if Libyans back anti-government demonstrators, calling the protests "a national treason."
The unrest has left at least 233 people dead in Libya, Human Rights Watch officials said, citing information from hospital sources that could not be independently confirmed.
The South Korean ministry said about 500 rioters stormed a South Korean-operated construction site near Tripoli Monday, injuring 17 workers and leading to a standoff with police, CNN reported.
Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of leader Moammar Gadhafi, proposed implementation of democratic reforms in the restrictive country while warning that civil war, a return to colonialism and poverty would occur if opposition protests continue.
"We can speak rationally, we can spare the blood, we can stand all together for the sake of Libya," the son said on Libyan state television.
Conversely, if protests go on, "forget about democracy, forget about reform. ... It will be a fierce civil war," he said.
Saif Gadhafi, appointed in 2009 as Libya's general coordinator, accused anti-government protesters of "sedition."
"This is a national treason," he said. "Each one of us wants to be a leader; each one of us wants to be a prince."
Even as the younger Gadhafi lashed out at anti-government elements within the country, he acknowledged North Africa's changing political landscape, proposing reforms such as bolstering local governments, relaxing restrictive laws, raising salaries, extending loans and drafting a constitution.
One observer told the Financial Times the address by Gadhafi's's son did little to ease tensions.
"Most people believe it was a desperate speech -- it was not a speech for reconciliation because it was filled with threats and everything," the observer said. "It's time for change, not more promises."
On Sunday, the central government apparently lost control of Benghazi, with many witnesses telling CNN protesters took over the city with support from some members of the military.
"Benghazi is free from the tyrant," a protester said. "Hopefully the whole country will be free of him."
Heavily armed riot police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse demonstrators who converged on Green Square near the capital's waterfront Monday, witnesses in Tripoli said. However, young men armed with chains around their knuckles, steel pipes and machetes forced police in some areas to retreat.
Some protesters were reported headed to Gadhafi's compound in Az Zawiyah, 25 miles west of Tripoli, with the intention of burning the building down, the pan-Arab news channel al-Jazeera reported.
U.S. and European Union officials Sunday condemned Libya's crackdown.
The full scope of the turmoil was impossible to verify. Authorities denied access to foreign journalists. Internet and phone access was mostly cut off, although some protesters said they used satellite connections and other countries' phone services to communicate.
The unrest has left at least 233 people dead in Libya, Human Rights Watch officials said, citing information from hospital sources that could not be independently confirmed.
The South Korean ministry said about 500 rioters stormed a South Korean-operated construction site near Tripoli Monday, injuring 17 workers and leading to a standoff with police, CNN reported.
Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of leader Moammar Gadhafi, proposed implementation of democratic reforms in the restrictive country while warning that civil war, a return to colonialism and poverty would occur if opposition protests continue.
"We can speak rationally, we can spare the blood, we can stand all together for the sake of Libya," the son said on Libyan state television.
Conversely, if protests go on, "forget about democracy, forget about reform. ... It will be a fierce civil war," he said.
Saif Gadhafi, appointed in 2009 as Libya's general coordinator, accused anti-government protesters of "sedition."
"This is a national treason," he said. "Each one of us wants to be a leader; each one of us wants to be a prince."
Even as the younger Gadhafi lashed out at anti-government elements within the country, he acknowledged North Africa's changing political landscape, proposing reforms such as bolstering local governments, relaxing restrictive laws, raising salaries, extending loans and drafting a constitution.
One observer told the Financial Times the address by Gadhafi's's son did little to ease tensions.
"Most people believe it was a desperate speech -- it was not a speech for reconciliation because it was filled with threats and everything," the observer said. "It's time for change, not more promises."
On Sunday, the central government apparently lost control of Benghazi, with many witnesses telling CNN protesters took over the city with support from some members of the military.
"Benghazi is free from the tyrant," a protester said. "Hopefully the whole country will be free of him."
Heavily armed riot police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse demonstrators who converged on Green Square near the capital's waterfront Monday, witnesses in Tripoli said. However, young men armed with chains around their knuckles, steel pipes and machetes forced police in some areas to retreat.
Some protesters were reported headed to Gadhafi's compound in Az Zawiyah, 25 miles west of Tripoli, with the intention of burning the building down, the pan-Arab news channel al-Jazeera reported.
U.S. and European Union officials Sunday condemned Libya's crackdown.
The full scope of the turmoil was impossible to verify. Authorities denied access to foreign journalists. Internet and phone access was mostly cut off, although some protesters said they used satellite connections and other countries' phone services to communicate.
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