Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi on Sunday dismissed new UN sanctions against him and said a small group of rebels protesting his rule were surrounded and would be defeated.

In a telephone interview with Serbia's Pink television station, he said Saturday's United Nations Security Council vote imposing travel and asset sanctions on him and close aides was null and void.

Open gallery view Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Oct. 17, 2004. Credit: AP

"The UN is not allowed to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries, unless a country is attacking another state," Gadhafi told the Belgrade-based station. It said he had been speaking from his office in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

Gadhafi accused the world body of "making decisions on the basis of news reports" and said a UN commission should investigate the situation in Libya.

"The people of Libya support me. Small groups of rebels are surrounded and will be dealt with," he said.

"Military and police traded fire with those individuals, those bands but few people were killed," he said. He denied there was any fighting going on, saying: "Currently there are no incidents, Libya is absolutely peaceful."

The Libyan leader repeated that he would not quit his country: "I am here, I am not leaving," he said.

Rebels in eastern Libya on Sunday said they had formed a national council that would help free areas still under Gadhafi's rule.