Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi told the BBC Monday that his people would die to protect him and denied that there had been protests against his rule in the capital, Tripol, dpa reported.
"No, no one is against us ... They love me all. They will die to protect me, my people," said Gaddafi.
According to the BBC report, Gaddafi laughed at the suggestion he would leave Libya and expressed disappointment at other world leaders who had suggested he should step down. In the exclusive interview, he said his people loved him.
He accused Western countries of abandoning him and harbouring plans to take over Libya. He insisted that he could not step down anyway, as he has no formal position and that power in Libya rests with the people.
To accusations that he has taken Libyan money and stored it abroad, he asked the accusers to provide evidence and said he would "put two fingers in their eye". He said any Libyans who had protested against him were under the influence of drugs.
...