'Gaddafi orders explosion of Libya's oil pipelines'

Libyan leader tells security forces to blow up oil facilities, reports Time; number of people killed in protests rises to 300.

Associated Press

The Jerusalem Post

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has ordered his security forces to sabotage oil facilities, Time magazine reported Wednesday, quoting a source close to Gaddafi.

According to the report, the forces were ordered to start blowing up oil pipelines in order to cut off flows to ports in the Mediterranean.

“The sabotage, according to the insider, is meant to serve as a message to Libya’s rebellious tribes: It’s either me or chaos,” said the report.

Time also reported that the insider said Gaddafi only has the support of about 5,000 soldiers in the army and that the Libyan leader has told people close to him that he realizes he cannot take control over Libya with the troops he has.

Read Full Article