Gunfire reported in Tripoli, Kadhafi’s son warns of civil war

The son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi has warned that the country could face civil war if anti-government protesters refuse to accept offers of reform. In a speech broadcast Sunday evening, Saif al-Islam Kadhafi pledged a new constitution and a loosening of media laws. This as heavy gunfire was reported in central Tripoli.

AFP photo/Libyan TV

"This is an opposition movement, a separatist movement which threatens the unity of Libya," said Saif al-Islam Kadhafi, blaming Arab and African elements.

"We will destroy seditious elements. If everybody is armed, it is civil war, we will kill each other,” he said. “Libya is not Egypt, it is not Tunisia," he said, referring to the two neighbouring popular protest movements that brought down their governments in recent weeks.

On Monday morning, witnesses reported heavy gunfire in central Tripoli, the first clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the capital since protests broke out in Benghazi, the country’s second city.

In his speech, Saif al-Islam Kadhafi suggested Benghazi was out of government control, and called the uprising a foreign plot.

"At this moment there are tanks being driven by civilians in Benghazi," he said.

He admitted the army had made mistakes in its response to the protesters, saying they were "not trained to contain riots".

He also offered a new constitution, and more liberal media laws.

"Libya is at a crossroads. If we do not agree today on reforms, we will not be mourning 84 people, but thousands of deaths, and rivers of blood will run through Libya," he said, giving a lower death tool that the US and rights groups have been reporting.

Human Rights Watch said Monday that at least 233 people have since 15 February in the military offensive, reportedly backed by foreign mercenaries.

Meanwhile, Sunday evening Libya's envoy to the 22-member Arab League, Abdel Moneim al-Honi, announced he was "joining the revolution."

"I have submitted my resignation in protest against the acts of repression and violence against demonstrators and I am joining the ranks of the revolution," he said.