Reporting from Cairo — Moammar Kadafi retained his stubborn grip on Tripoli on Saturday as irregular security forces largely cleared the streets of demonstrators a day after thousands protested against his government following prayer services.
Residents reported that many of those manning checkpoints and patrolling the streets in trucks Saturday were civilian supporters enlisted by the embattled Libyan leader in hopes that he might be able to continue his 42-year rule.
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"If you hear fireworks, don't mistake it for shooting," the 38-year-old Kadafi said, according to an account provided by Reuters. "Peace is coming back to our country."
But the journalists said they observed a desperate crush of people at the airport, fruitlessly pressing against the gate in an effort to leave the country. When the journalists attempted to interview people in the crowd, police and militia members intercepted them and detained at least one photographer.
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