Nearly a month after pro-democracy forces took control of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi and some followers remain defiant.
As National Transitional Council forces battle loyalists in his hometown, Gaddafi released an audio message on Syrian TV.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPOSED LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR GADDAFI, SAYING:
"How can you topple a regime that is embedded in all the citizens, who are in the millions. The claim that Gaddafi's regime has fallen is ridiculous and laughable, as Gaddafi doesn't have a political system that can be toppled."
Gaddafi, whose whereabouts are unknown, also warned that NATO support would not last.
NTC fighters rolled tanks and cannons into Sirte on Tuesday, one of a few remaining towns still controlled by pro-Gaddafi forces.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED ANTI-GADDAFI FIGHTER, SAYING:
"These are the tanks of the tyrant, the ones he used to kill the children of Misrata. God is great, we are the revolutionaries of Misrata and we are coming. His son is here and we will catch him, God is great."
Even as foreign powers recognise the NTC's legitimacy, Gaddafi has often insisted he cannot be ousted because he holds no official title.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
