Libya's Muammar Gaddafi used tanks, helicopters and warplanes to quell a growing revolt, witnesses said yesterday, as the veteran leader scoffed at reports he was fleeing after four decades in power.
The UN refugee agency urged to Libya's neighbours not to turn back those fleeing the violence, as hundreds of refugees streamed into Egypt on tractors and trucks, describing a wave of killing and banditry unleashed by the revolt.
Meanwhile, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Philippines and The Netherlands were among several countries who wanted to evacuate their citizens.
Warplanes bombed portions of the capital Tripoli yesterday in new attacks in the Mediterranean coastal city, and mercenaries fired on civilians, Aljazeera reported.
In the eastern town of Al Bayda, resident Marai Al Mahry told Reuters by telephone that 26 people including his brother Ahmed had been shot dead overnight by Gaddafi loyalists.
"They shoot you just for walking on the street," he said, sobbing uncontrollably as he appealed for help.
Protesters were being attacked with tanks and warplanes, he said.
"The only thing we can do now is not give up, no surrender, no going back. We will die anyways, whether we like it or not. It is clear that they don't care whether we live or not. This is genocide," said Mahry, 42.
Security forces have cracked down fiercely on demonstrators across the country, with fighting now spreading to Tripoli after erupting in Libya's oil-producing east last week following uprisings that have toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
Human Rights Watch says at least 233 people have been killed and opposition groups put the figure much higher but independent verification is impossible.
Meanwhile, the UN's human rights chief yesterday demanded an immediate end to the "grave human rights violations" committed by Libyan authorities, warning that attacks on civilians could amount to "crimes against humanity".
"The authorities should immediately cease such illegal acts of violence against demonstrators," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement.
"Widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity," she said.
The revolt in OPEC member Libya has driven oil prices sharply higher, with US crude for April delivery rising at one stage to almost $99, around a two-and-a-half-year high.
As the fighting has intensified across the country, cracks appeared among Gaddafi camps. Some ambassadors resigning and calling for his removal, the justice minister resigned in protest and a group of army officers urged soldiers to "join the people." Two pilots flew their warplanes to nearby Malta.
Gaddafi's son Saif on Sunday vowed his father would keep fighting "until the last man standing" and the Libyan leader appeared on television yesterday after days of seclusion to dismiss reports he had fled to Venezuela.
"I want to show that I'm in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe the channels belonging to stray dogs," said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya since taking power in a military coup in 1969.
World powers have condemned the use of force against protesters, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accusing Libya of massacre.
"This must stop immediately," said Ban.
The Security Council and Arab League ambassadors were scheduled to discuss Libya separately later yesterday, diplomats said.
The UN refugee agency urged to Libya's neighbours not to turn back those fleeing the violence, as hundreds of refugees streamed into Egypt on tractors and trucks, describing a wave of killing and banditry unleashed by the revolt.
Meanwhile, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Philippines and The Netherlands were among several countries who wanted to evacuate their citizens.
Warplanes bombed portions of the capital Tripoli yesterday in new attacks in the Mediterranean coastal city, and mercenaries fired on civilians, Aljazeera reported.
In the eastern town of Al Bayda, resident Marai Al Mahry told Reuters by telephone that 26 people including his brother Ahmed had been shot dead overnight by Gaddafi loyalists.
"They shoot you just for walking on the street," he said, sobbing uncontrollably as he appealed for help.
Protesters were being attacked with tanks and warplanes, he said.
"The only thing we can do now is not give up, no surrender, no going back. We will die anyways, whether we like it or not. It is clear that they don't care whether we live or not. This is genocide," said Mahry, 42.
Security forces have cracked down fiercely on demonstrators across the country, with fighting now spreading to Tripoli after erupting in Libya's oil-producing east last week following uprisings that have toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
Human Rights Watch says at least 233 people have been killed and opposition groups put the figure much higher but independent verification is impossible.
Meanwhile, the UN's human rights chief yesterday demanded an immediate end to the "grave human rights violations" committed by Libyan authorities, warning that attacks on civilians could amount to "crimes against humanity".
"The authorities should immediately cease such illegal acts of violence against demonstrators," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement.
"Widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity," she said.
The revolt in OPEC member Libya has driven oil prices sharply higher, with US crude for April delivery rising at one stage to almost $99, around a two-and-a-half-year high.
As the fighting has intensified across the country, cracks appeared among Gaddafi camps. Some ambassadors resigning and calling for his removal, the justice minister resigned in protest and a group of army officers urged soldiers to "join the people." Two pilots flew their warplanes to nearby Malta.
Gaddafi's son Saif on Sunday vowed his father would keep fighting "until the last man standing" and the Libyan leader appeared on television yesterday after days of seclusion to dismiss reports he had fled to Venezuela.
"I want to show that I'm in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe the channels belonging to stray dogs," said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya since taking power in a military coup in 1969.
World powers have condemned the use of force against protesters, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accusing Libya of massacre.
"This must stop immediately," said Ban.
The Security Council and Arab League ambassadors were scheduled to discuss Libya separately later yesterday, diplomats said.
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