Fresh footage has emerged of Libyan military bases abandoned by troops who have joined protests against Moammar Gaddafi.

Tobruk is one of many cities across the east where anti-Gaddafi demonstrators have risen up and overwhelmed government buildings and army bases.

In many cases the protestors have been joined by local army units – fed up and frustrated they claim by years of mistreatment and abuse. According to some media reports, more than a thousand soldiers have deserted the military barracks, handing over all the weaponry and munitions to the rebels.