In order to avoid this, he has instructed his forces to fire on the protestors wherever they gather. This has led to over 200 people being murdered in the passed few days. Soldiers who refused to shoot have been reportedly shot and burned. The Libyan Air Force has also bombed and shot at protestors as they marched on an army base.
The intense level of violence has led many Libyan Ambassadors worldwide, including the ambassador to the Arab League, to resign in protest. Libya's mission to the UN also just criticized Ghadafi and two air force pilots have flown to Malta and defected.
Since Ghadafi has pushed back so hard, the country is likely to descend into Civil War. His son, Seif al-Islam Ghadafi (who's name means Sword of Islam Ghadafi) said that his father will "fight to the last man, the last woman, the last bullet," in a long, rambling, 40 minute speech on state TV. His father has given one of the longest speeches in the history of the UN General Assembly, so it's nice to see the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
So now we'll just have to wait and see who buckles first, Ghadafi or the protesters. It has been reported that the Libyan side of the Egypt-Libya border is now under the control of the protesters. The protestors have reportedly taken over 9 cities in the east of the country and most if not all of the Bedouin and Berber tribes have renounced their allegiance to the government. Muslim scholars have also called on all Muslims to rebel.
No matter what happens, it doesn't look like this is going to end any time soon.
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