Libya: Defiant Gaddafi on open-car tour of Tripoli as rebels plead for help
- Gaddafi's tour takes place during Nato air strikes
- Britain removes Moussa Koussa from EU sanctions list
- Nato air strikes target Tripoli
- World leaders say they will continue pressure until Gaddafi stands down
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi brazenly drove through the streets of Tripoli today as Nato bombed the capital.
In an outfit which appeared to resemble those of the Blues Brothers, fashion conscious Gaddafi, who apparently changes his outfits several times a day, stepped out in a green safari hat, dark glasses and a black jacket for the public show of defiance in the face of Nato air strikes.
Images broadcast on Libyan state television show the leader standing through an open sun-roof, pumping his fists and waving as his convoy toured the streets followed by hundreds of pedestrians.
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Too cool for school: Gaddafi went on a tour around Tripoli in an open top car whilst the Libyan capital was being bombed by NATO
Blues Brothers in town? No, it's Gaddafi shaking hands with a man as he travels through Tripoli today
Defiant: The Libyan leader donned a green safari hat, dark glasses and black jacket and pumped his fists in the air, waving at pedestrians who chased his convoy through the streets
It comes as opposition rebels have asked for more help in the fight against Libya, warning that Misrata is on the verge of a massacre by Gaddafi troops.
As former foreign minister Moussa Koussa is removed from an EU sanctions list, the rebels say they need Nato to intensify its attacks on government forces.
Tripoli Street, which links the west of the city with the centre, has come under heavy bombardment by the dictator's loyalists while a heavy rocket assault near the port prevented a Qatari vessel from docking.
A rebel spokesman who identified himself only as Abdelsalam said: 'A massacre will take place here if Nato does not intervene strongly.'
The former Libyan foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, has also been removed from an EU sanctions list by the U.K.
The long time top aide to Gaddafi fled to Britain last month and today the Treasury announced it was removing him from its EU financial sanctions list, removing a freeze on his assets.
State TV channel, Al-Libiya, was reporting that there had been air strikes in the city, resulting in civilian casualties.
There were four blasts and plooms of smoke were seen rising from the south east of the city.
Meanwhile, round the negotiating table in Berlin, world leaders said they were committed to providing all necessary resources for military operations in Libya.
Requests for help: Libyan rebels want Nato to intensify its attacks on Gaddafi forces and give them more weapons
World leaders have been meeting in Berlin to discuss the future of military operations in Libya
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: 'We are committed to provide all necessary resources and maximum operational flexibility within our mandate. A high operational tempo against legitimate targets will be mandated.'
Nato has stressed its common goals in Libya, to bring an end to Gaddafi's regime, when ministers met in Berlin amid a rift over the scope of the operation.
French officials have said they are not in favour of arming rebels warning that military intervention by the Western-led coalition would not be enough to end the 41-year dictatorship and a political resolution was the answer.
British representatives agreed with them that Washington's military strength was needed to ensure the success of the mission. But President Obama insisted that the U.S. would stick to its plan to remain in a supporting role.
Their calls come after heavy bombardment from Misrata
A rebel fighter near Ajdabiyah holds an 81mm illumination mortar shell, that he claims belonged to Gaddafi's forces
The Nato meeting was called to give a more focused direction on the military operation in Libya.
Three weeks of air strikes have not yet routed Gaddafi from power, leading the French saying not enough was being done.
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that 'France is not currently in that frame of mind' when asked about arming the rebels.
He added: 'We thought a military intervention was necessary. It is continuing.
'But there will not be a military solution to the problem, there can only be a political solution.
'The difference of opinion is over the means of achieving this objective (to get Gaddafi to quit)
'It doesn't seem necessary today because the national transition council is not having problems finding the weapons they need and friends to show them how to use them.
'We are not doing it and nor are the British as far as I know. It's a decision that's been taken but that does not mean we oppose those that do.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stressed that members of the alliance share the same goal to see the end of the regime.
She said: 'We are contributing in many ways to see that goal realised.'
A rebel fighter with an amputated leg moves along the front line near the western entrance to Ajdabiyah
The UK said that the might of the U.S. military is necessary if the rebels are to be successful
Germany agrees with France in that 'Libya can only have a good future if this dictator goes.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he was 'very happy that we have together succeeded in finally pushing through a comprehensive sanctions policy - there is now a de-facto oil and gas embargo (so) that the dictator Gaddafi's cash reserves cannot be replenished.'
US officials said Clinton would use today's meetings to press the allies to reaffirm their goal of protecting civilians as rebels and forces loyal to Gaddafi continue fighting.
The officials said Clinton would stress the importance of using Nato military assets to go after pro-Gaddafi fighters attacking or approaching rebel-held positions and stepping up economic and political pressure on him to leave power.
The foreign ministers of the US, Britain, France, Germany and Italy - a group known as the Quint - plan to meet on the sidelines in Berlin with a focus on Libya, US officials said.
The meeting is aimed at getting the European nations, especially Germany, to boost pressure on Gaddafi to leave, the US officials said.
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