Written by Amira Al Hussaini
Libyan dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi allegedly addressed supporters in Tripoli’s Green Square, promising more gloom and doom to people protesting against his rule. In his latest speech, broadcast today on Libyan TV, Gaddafi called on Libyans to defend their country, adding that he would burn it if people don’t defend him.
“I’m in central Tripoli now,” he said. “The people who don’t love me don’t deserve to live,” he added, as more top Libyan officials and entire Embassies and missions abroad continued to desert him.
Tweeps were quick to transcribe his speech as he was yelling it from a rooftop of a building, dotting their reports with condemnations to a tyrant whose horrendous acts against Libyans has left the entire world in shock over the past few days.
Here’s a run down of reactions from Twitter:
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi now in TV “I’m in central Tripoli now. The people who don’t love me don’t deserve to live” #Libya http://yfrog.com/gz9w3frj
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi: “I am not a president, I am not a king, I have no constitutional or administrative authority .. but the people love me.”#Libya
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi “Dance and sing, we will be victorious”
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi: “The revolution made Italy kneel before Libya” “We will beat any foreign conspiracy against Libya like we beat previous ones”
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi: “When the need arises we will open the weapons depots & arm the people” “Libya is the leader of the third world
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi now in TV “I’m in central Tripoli now. The people who don’t love me don’t deserve to live” #Libya http://yfrog.com/gz9w3frj
@NottingHillBly: No one is fooled, your protesters are few and far between. Go now Gaddafi #Libya #greensquare http://yfrog.com/h8gtrcj
@exiledsurfer: #Libya #gaddafi green square supporters #tripoli http://yfrog.com/h28l6wrj http://yfrog.com/h4axbndj http://yfrog.com/h4×6nkkj
@eduardgrebe: Does Qaddafi intend to be taken seriously when he blames the uprising on “hallucinogenic drugs”? #Libya
@drxee:#gaddafi: “Their ages r 17. They give’em pills at night, put hallucinatory pills in their drinks, their milk, their coffee, their Nescafe.”
@episteme05: Gaddafi was talking about dignity, I guess he was on drug!!! #Libya
@Malik_73:#Libya Gaddafi clearly had too much Nescafe before he made his last speech.
@sukmeov: Daffy #gaddafi says in his speech “sing, dance and be happy.”. Who is he? #LadyGaga?!
@jaywltrs: Gaddafi threatens while wearing Elmer Fudd/Ralphie hunting hat. Cossack fur, fedora, or even a bowler would’ve been more menacing
@angeloyap: Yo bro, just leave – Mubarak to Gaddafi
@sultanalqassemi: Reuters: List of diplomats, officials who desert #Libya‘s Gaddafi http://bit.ly/ho0djl
@LuluWahed: Confirmed: Colonel Ali AlArash, commandor of Oil installations announces frm Albariqa tht he joined the revolution #Libya #gaddafi #Jan25
@anouaramrani:#gaddafi is playing a big act. A dangerous man with an IQ of a donkey. So very unpredictable!#Libya
@anonoid: State TV is asking people to send images of “victory & joy” for Gaddafi on . You know what images to send them #OPLibya
@rrrgggbbb: The question for Friday: will #gaddafi last the weekend? #Libya @blogdiva
@lamisk: When Qaddafi’s fortune is returned to the Libyan people, meet the new nation of millionaires!#Libya
Observers see it as a desperate attempt by Gaddafi to hang on to power.
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.