Gaddafi supporters poured into Tripoli’s Green Square as the Libyan leader made an inflammatory televised speech lasting over an hour.

In it he refused to step down and vowed to crush the revol, threatening to cleanse the country, house by house, unless the protesters surrendered.

Swathed in brown robes, Gaddafi seethed with anger at the challenge to his authority.

“I cannot in any way betray dedication to the revolution. I will die a martyr. I have not authorised the use of live ammunition but when I do give the order everything will be destroyed.”

He called on his supporters to take back control of the streets from what he referred to as gangs of rats and mercenaries who want to turn Libya into an Islamic state, adding that anti-government demonstrators deserve the death penalty.