Muammar Gaddafi's state TV appearance

Libyan state television showed a brief statement by Muammar Gaddafi in which he said: "I am in Tripoli, not Venezuela."

Some sources had earlier suggested that Col Gaddafi might have fled the country, although the BBC could not confirm when the brief and bizarre statement was made.

Security forces and protesters have clashed in Libya's capital, Tripoli, for a second night, after the government announced a new crackdown.

To the west of Tripoli, sources say the army is fighting forces loyal to Col Gaddafi, who appears to be struggling to hold on to power.