Libya: Gaddafi Threatens as Coalition Starts Air Strikes  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi spoke for three minutes on the phone, in a call which was just broadcast by Libyan State Television, threatening countries around the Mediterranean Basin, and calling for help from Africans and South Americans.
In this speech, one of many in a series of speeches the Colonel has given since the beginning of a popular uprising against him in Libya, comes after a coalition with includes the US, France and UK, has started air strikes aimed at crippling his forces and ending the suffering of Libyan civilians since they rose against his tyranny on February 16.
Here is a summary of the key points he made in his speech, and the reactions of tweeps:
@Hamza_online: #Gaddafi on #Libya state tv via telephone
@shahd4: Gaddafi http://yfrog.com/hsz93zqj
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi: This attack will launch a second Crusade, the Libyan people will counter it, we ask the Africans, South Americans to stand by us
@Dima_Khatib: Gaddafi: interests of Mediterranean, North African countries will be in danger from now on #libya #feb17
@Kernwaarde: AJA: #gaddafi says he will gives weapons to the people to fight against what he calls ‘the imperialists’ #Libya #tripoli #feb17 #freedom
@Hisham_G: Gaddafi has reportedly spoken by phone to Libyan TV describing the international action as a “second crusade” #Libya
@TrellaLB: #Gaddafi media says “Flying Crusaders” are bombing #Tripoli !! interesting terminology :P
@SultanAlQassemi: Gaddafi phone call ends (took less than three minutes)
@SultanAlQassemi: .@TarikYousef says on Al Arabiya that Gaddafi is having a nervous breakdown.
@cpm5280: So, Gaddafi says he's giving weapons to his people to fight UN coalition. If I were him, I think I'd think twice before arming my ppl.
@libyansrevolt: Did anyone just watch LibyanTV now? #Gaddafi spoke via voice only: This is now an official war – really? #libya #feb17
@iRevolt: Gaddafi has been in power since 1969; EuroAmerican empires shook hands with the dictator, he has since overstayed his welcome and use.
@NoahSinking: I'm kind of disappointed in #Gaddafi, he didn't even throw in one #Zenga Zenga in his speech :(
@martinijoey: Qaddafi, Gaddafi, and Kaddafi are all correct spellings. Khaddafi and Ghaddafi are completely wrong. #PhonologyNazi
@melliema: I'd be more enthusiastic about #Gaddafi's speech if he he traded this terrible green umbrella for a pink-ish parasol. #Libya
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.