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Saudi Arabia has imposed new media restrictions, threatening news organizations that allegedly undermine national security, with heavy fines and closure.
Under a decree issued by Saudi King Abdullah on Friday, the media will be prohibited from reporting anything that contradicts the Islamic law or "foreign interests," an AFP report said.
The rule also requires publishers to stick "to objective and constructive criticism that serves the general interest."
Violators of the new decree face fines of up to 500,000 riyals -- which equals USD 133,000.
Saudi authorities can also ban a writer for life from contributing to any media organization.
The Saudi media is tightly supervised by the ruling Al Saud dynasty and most of the country's leading newspapers are owned by people who are a part of or closely linked to the government.
The new restrictions come as the Kingdom tries to prevent the spread of regional uprisings and revolutions to Saudi Arabia.
This is while, during the past months, Saudi Arabia's oil-rich east has been the scene of anti-government protests.
On Friday, Saudi Arabian riot police attacked a peaceful protest rally in the city of Qatif, injuring at least five people while attempting to disperse demonstrators by force.
The demonstrators have poured into the streets to condemn Riyadh's role in the brutal crackdown on Bahraini protesters.
They are also calling for human rights reform, freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners held without trial for more than 16 years.
Human Rights Watch says more than 160 protesters have been arrested since February as part of the Saudi government's crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Among those taken into custody are two prominent anti-regime bloggers, local activists say.
According to the Saudi-based Human Rights First Society (HRFS), many detainees have been subject to torture both physically and mentally.
Anti-government protesters in Saudi Arabia's eastern region of Qatif demand the release of prisoners held without trial at a march that was later broken up by police with stun grenades and rounds of gunfire. (file photo)
Several people have been injured after police fired rubber bullets at anti-government protesters in Saudi Arabia's eastern region of Qatif as Friday's million-man-march looms.
On Thursday, over 4,000 protesters thronged the streets in the eastern city of Qatif and clamoured for political reforms and the release of political prisoners, reports said.
According to witness accounts, police forces fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse the crowd, leaving several people injured, while more rallies were held in solidarity with the people of Bahrain in the city.
Demonstrators also called for an end to military incursion in Bahrain, after Riyadh dispatched at least 1,000 troops to the Persian Gulf country to help quell protests there.
Protesters chanted and held signs that urged the government to stay out of Bahrain, and called for a million-man-march for Friday.
Witnesses added that just as tens of tanks were moving to Qatif, thousands of demonstrators including clerics and women continued their peaceful march in the city despite the tight security by riot police.
Anti-government protests have recently flared up in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, despite a state ban on demonstrations in the kingdom.
Riyadh has stepped up its crackdown on anti-government protests in response.
Saudi Arabia's minority Shias has complained of discrimination, saying they often struggle to obtain senior government jobs and benefits available to other citizens -- a charge that the Saudi government has flatly denied.
A group of Saudi youths has called for a “Saudi Revolution” on March 20, using Facebook, to demand democratic and political reform in the monarchy.
The Facebook group, which has over 17,000 members, also called for a “Day of Rage” to be held on March 11, DPA reported.
Activists now allege that state security forces have shot dead online activist Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahadwas, 27, the main administrator of the Facebook group calling for the coordinated protests.
They say the body of Abdul-Ahadwas has been confiscated by authorities to "hide evidence of the crime," and that he was killed because of "his commitment to a better future for his country," DPA stated.
Recent protests have hit the country following uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Demonstrators are demanding the release of political prisoners held without trial, including a senior Shia cleric, Sheikh Tawfiq al-Aamer -- arrested last week after calling for constitutional monarchy.
In Riyadh, security helicopters hovered over a protest site after the Friday Prayers near the al-Rajhi mosque. At least three people were arrested.
Hundreds of people staged anti-government protests in several eastern towns, and some 22 others were detained on Thursday night after holding a protest in the town of al-Hufuf
The Interior Ministry on Saturday announced on state television that security forces will take all measures necessary to prevent any further disturbance of order.
On February 23, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz suddenly promised a 36-billion-dollar package of additional benefits for people. He also ordered the implementation of a 15-percent pay hike for state employees as well as an increase in the cash available for housing loans.
Analysts believe the huge hike in benefits introduced by the Saudi king was intended to avert an uprising in the country.
Saudi Arabia has banned all kinds of rallies and gatherings, as anti-government protests demanding democratic change and the release of political prisoners gain momentum in the monarchy.
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry described protests as “illegal” in a Saturday statement and declared that security forces were "authorized by law to take all measures needed against those who try to break the law."
"Regulations in the kingdom forbid categorically all sorts of demonstrations, marches and sit-ins... as they contradict Islamic Sharia law and the values and traditions of Saudi society," SPA state news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
The decision came after anti-government demonstrations were held after the Friday prayers in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and other cities.
Hundreds of Saudi protesters took to the streets in Riyadh, for the first time, to join anti-government protests in other cities in the country, calling for the release of political prisoners.
Protesters gathered in front of Al-Rajhi Mosque in the eastern part of the capital, chanting anti-government and anti-corruption slogans.
Witnesses say Saudi security forces detained at least three people, who had chanted slogans against the Saudi monarchy, in Riyadh.
At the same time, groups of protesters continued their rallies in the towns of al-Hufuf, al-Ahsa, and al-Qatif in the Eastern Province, with demonstrators demanding the release of political prisoners, including a senior Shia cleric.
In al-Hufuf, the peaceful protest rally, which condemned the Saudi government's detention of Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer, was held following the Friday prayers.
A similar protest, which was held in al-Qatif, was dispersed by Saudi security forces, witnesses said.
The Shia cleric was arrested on February 25 after delivering a sermon, in which he said that Saudi Arabia should become a constitutional monarchy.
In a move to intensify its crackdown on mass protests planned next week, the Saudi government also has decided to deploy thousands of anti-riot police to northeastern Saudi Arabia.
This comes against the backdrop of growing calls on Internet for a massive anti-government protest expected later in March.
A group of Saudi youths has called for a “Saudi Revolution” on March 20, using Facebook, to demand democratic and political reform in the monarchy.
The Facebook group, which has over 17,000 members, also called for a “Day of Rage” to be held on March 11. Tens of thousands of Saudis have already joined the drive.
Protests and public displays of dissent are forbidden in Saudi Arabia. The government has become increasingly nervous about the protests that have taken the Arab world by storm, toppling the Egyptian and Tunisian presidents, and recently reaching Oman, Bahrain, Yemen and Libya.
Massive anti-government protests are impending in Saudi Arabia following the arrest of a senior cleric who called for political reform in the country, an analyst says.
The recent "crackdown” in the city of Qatif on a protest for the release of political prisoners will have dire repercussions for the government in Saudi Arabia, political analyst Mohamed al-Massari told Press TV on Saturday.
“They made a stupid mistake by attacking women and so on because they think Shia women do not have ... the honor protection like the rest of the women in the country. But attacking women in Saudi Arabia, in an Islamic country is very severe, very negative and catastrophic ... and this will have dire repercussions,” al-Massari said.
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters in the cities of Qatif and Awamiyya took to the streets and called for the release of Shia prisoners, who they say are being held unjustly, some as long as 16 years.
"We want the prisoners free but we also have other demands. We want equality," a protester in Qatif said.
Saudi authorities arrested 22 people for taking part in the protest in Qatif.
Witnesses say Saudi security forces detained at least three people after repeating slogans against the Saudi monarchy.
On Friday, a peaceful protest rally was also held in al-Hufuf district in the Eastern Province after the Friday prayers to condemn the Saudi government's detention of Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer who had called for a constitutional monarchy in the kingdom.
Al-Massari predicted that the government's latest clampdown would bring “thousands more” into the streets on “the eleventh of March” against the government move.
He further noted that the authorities will face a catch-22 in the situation should they resort to force.
“If they use force there will be counter-force,” said the political analyst, adding, “We still have people who are willing to defend their honor with arms.”
Saudi youths have named March 11 the Day of Rage on the social networking website, Facebook.
On February 23, Saudi King Abdullah suddenly promised a $36 billion-package of extra benefits for his people, upon his return from a long medical trip to the US.
Analysts believe the huge hike in benefits introduced by the Saudi king is actually intended to avert an uprising in the Arab country.
Protests and public displays of dissent are forbidden in Saudi Arabia. The government has become increasingly nervous about the protests that have taken the Arab world by storm, toppling the Egyptian and Tunisian presidents, and which recently reached Oman, Bahrain, Yeman and Libya.
Hundreds of Saudi demonstrators have taken to the streets in the capital Riyadh for the first time to join anti-government protests in other cities in the Arab country, calling for the release of political prisoners.
After Friday prayers in Riyadh, protesters gathered in front of Al-Rajhi Mosque in the east of the capital and chanted anti-government and anti-corruption slogans.
As police helicopters hovered over the anti-government demonstrators, they chanted; “Thieves, thieves, where is the 200 billion (riyals)?”, “God is great”, and “God will destroy the arrogant and unjust”, as well as “peaceful, peaceful,” the Financial Times reported Friday.
Witnesses say Saudi security forces detained at least three people after repeating slogans against the Saudi monarchy.
At the same time, groups of protesters continued their rallies in towns of al-Hufuf, al-Ahsa and al-Qatif in Eastern Province, with demonstrators demanding the release of political prisoners, including a senior Shia cleric.
In al-Hufuf, the peaceful protest rally, which condemned the Saudi government's detention of Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer, was held following the Friday prayers.
A similar protest was held in al-Qatif but was dispersed by Saudi security forces, witnesses said.
The Shia cleric was arrested last Friday after a sermon in which he said Saudi Arabia should become a constitutional monarchy.
Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer has been arrested several times over his calls for giving Shias, a minority in Saudi Arabia, further freedom to exercise their religious rights.
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters in the cities of Qatif and Awamiyya took to the streets and called for the release of Shia prisoners, who they say are being held unjustly, some as long as 16 years.
"We want the prisoners free but we also have other demands. We want equality," a protester in Qatif said.
Saudi authorities arrested 22 people for taking part in the protest in Qatif.
The latest protest comes against the backdrop of growing calls for a massive anti-government protest expected later in March. Tens of thousands of Saudis have already joined the drive.
Saudi youths have named March 11 “the Day of Rage” on the social networking website, Facebook.
On February 23, Saudi King Abdullah suddenly promised a $36 billion-package of extra benefits for his people, upon his return from a long medical trip to the US.
He also granted pardon to some prisoners indicted in financial crimes and ordered the implementation of a 15-percent pay hike for state employees as well as an increase in the cash available for Saudi housing loans.
Analysts believe the huge hike in benefits introduced by the Saudi king is actually intended to avert an uprising in the Arab country.
Protests and public displays of dissent are forbidden in Saudi Arabia. The government has become increasingly nervous about the protests that have taken the Arab world by storm, toppling the Egyptian and Tunisian presidents, and which recently reached Oman, Bahrain, Yeman and Libya.
Hundreds of Omanis have demonstrated peacefully in the cities of Sohar, Salalah, and the capital Muscat to call for political reform and an increase in the minimum wage.
On Friday, around 500 protestors, mostly young men, demanded punishment for corrupt officials, a cabinet reshuffle, and an increase in the minimum wage. A large number of people joined in and even held prayers at the protest venues, news agencies reported.
The demonstrators said they wanted a bigger voice in the government and called for the all-appointed advisory council to be transformed into a full-fledged parliament in the Persian Gulf sultanate, which lies on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Security forces were on full alert but stayed in the background to prevent any clashes like the one that occurred last week, which resulted in a number of casualties, DPA reported.
Over the past week, Oman's Sultan Qaboos has made some changes, pledging to create 50,000 new jobs for Omani citizens and to allocate benefits for the unemployed.
Political analysts note that, in contrast to the recent events in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and Libya, in Oman the criticism has not been directed at the country's ruler himself.
They say that the demonstrations, fueled by political and social grievances, which suddenly shattered the calm in the normally placid Oman, show that no Arab country is immune from the wave of discontent sweeping across the Arab world.
The demonstrations in Oman began on February 26, after the mass protests that toppled the long-time leaders of Tunisia and Egypt spread to other countries in the region, including Bahrain and Yemen.
On Wednesday, hundreds of Omanis demonstrated in support of Sultan Qaboos as more than 400 activists camped outside the consultative council to protest against corruption and demand higher wages.
People in North African and Middle Eastern countries are set to join massive “Day of Rage” protest rallies planned Friday against their unpopular regimes.
Demonstrations are to take place in Tunisia and Egypt, where popular revolutions have already toppled the decades-long autocratic rule of their Western-backed dictators, setting off a whole host of anti-government protest movements in a number of other Arab countries.
Forces against Libya's ruler Muammar Gaddafi have also called for protest rallies in the capital Tripoli. The 42-year-long regime of the Libyan dictator has fiercely opposed the uprising that began February 15, reportedly killing thousands of the anti-government demonstrators so far.
In Saudi Arabia, where prisoner abuse and rights record have recently attracted an unprecedented wave of anger, online human rights campaigners have rallied support for a public display of outrage in the Eastern Province's Al-Ihsaa governorate, AFP reported.
The protest is to be held in condemnation of Riyadh's recent arrest of a Shia cleric, in line with the kingdom's age-old suppression of many followers of the faith in the country.
The street actions are planned to take place following Friday Prayers and are also expected to take place in the streets of Yemen, Jordan and Bahrain.
A group of Saudi activists have called for a “Day of Rage” rally in the oil-rich Eastern Province after Friday prayers, following the arrest of a Shia cleric.
The Friday event in Al-Hufuf is organized by a group of 500 cyber activists on Facebook.
The organizers have called on the protesters to call for the release of Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer, AFP reported.
Amer was incarcerated after he called for a “constitutional monarch” in the kingdom.
Amer has been arrested several times over his demands for giving Saudi Shias further freedom to exercise their religious rights.
This comes as tens of thousands of people are preparing themselves to attend the protests after the Saudi youths named March 11 the Day of Rage on the social networking website, Facebook.
On February 23, Saudi King Abdullah suddenly promised a $36-billion package of extra benefits for his people, upon his return from a long medical journey to the US and Morocco.
He also granted pardon to some prisoners indicted for financial crimes and ordered the implementation of a 15-percent pay hike for state employees as well as an increase in the cash available for Saudi housing loans.
Analysts believe the huge hike in benefits introduced by the Saudi king is actually intended to avert an uprising in the country.
In recent weeks, a wave of revolutions and anti-government uprisings has spread across the Arab world.
The son of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam, has warned against an ominous civil war in the North African country amidst Libya's popular uprising.
"Libya is at a crossroads. If we do not agree today on reforms, we will not be mourning 84 people, but thousands of deaths, and rivers of blood will run through Libya," Saif al-Islam Gaddafi said in a televised speech on Sunday.
He accused the factions of attempting to stir chaos in the country and offered dialog and the establishment of local governments in a bid to quell the nationwide uprising.
He also warned that the situation has become extremely dangerous in Libya, emphasizing that his country is not Tunisia or Egypt.
Saif al-Islam further pointed out that Libya has neared a crossroads to either a civil war or peace.
In other comments, he expressed the Libyan government's willingness to negotiate with 'legitimate' factions and parties to carry out reforms.
However, he warned that the government will fight until last drop of blood, saying that no dissidents or what he called thugs will be allowed to take over Libya.
Meanwhile, fresh reports say thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in defiance of Muammar Gaddafi's speech. They are said to be calling for the prosecution of Saif al-Islam and his father.
Saif al-Islam also denied the latest death toll figure from clashes in Libya's massive popular uprising against long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Latest figures show the death toll from clashes in Libya's massive popular uprising is nearing 300.
Reports have put the number of people killed in the country's second largest city, Benghazi, at more than 200 over the past days.
Residents in Benghazi reported that there was no electricity in parts of the city and tanks were stationed outside the city's main courthouse. Benghazi's airport is also reported closed.
The repression became bloodier on Sunday when security forces opened fire on thousands of people who had gathered to mourn for those killed on Saturday clashes in Benghazi.
The human rights group Amnesty International has urged the Libyan government to stop its crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
Protesters have been demanding the ouster of the Libyan leader, who has been in power for over 40 years.
Two top Libyan envoys have resigned from their posts in solidarity with pro-democracy demonstrations against the country's ruler Muammar Gaddafi's authoritarian regime.
Libyan envoy to the Arab League Abdel Moneim al-Honi and the country's ambassador to China resigned on Sunday to join the protests.
"I have submitted my resignation in protest against the acts of repression and violence against demonstrators and I am joining the ranks of the revolution," al-Honi said.
Libyan envoy to China has also said that he was not “honored to represent a regime that kills its people.”
He has also called on the army to intervene to stop the killing of “innocent people.”
An opposition leader has said that all tribes across the country have joined the anti-government protests, reports said.
Meanwhile, Gaddafi has reportedly left the country for Brazil or Venezuela.
Son of Libya's ruler Muammar Gaddafi has been seen killing pro-democracy protesters with security forces as the explosion of anger continues to rock the North African country, reports say.
The news come as Habib al-Obaid, a doctor at al-Jalae hospital stated on Sunday that a least 50 people have been killed in the Libyan city of Benghazi since 1300 GMT on Sunday.
Reports have put the number of people killed in the country's second largest city, Benghazi at more than 200 over the past days.
Pro-democracy protests sparked by the popular revolutions that deposed long-serving rulers of neighboring Egypt and Tunisia have engulfed Libya since last week with thousands of people flocking the streets of the eastern city of Benghazi, and calling for the ouster of the 68-year-old Gaddafi, who has been in office since September 1969.
Libya's Muammar Gaddafi has left his country for Venezuela or Brazil, as protests calling on him to step down have turned violent, a report says.
Government's crackdown on people to put down the protests against Gaddafi's 41-year rule turned out to be counterproductive as demonstrations continued on Sunday.
The repression became bloodier when security forces opened fire on thousands of people gathered to mourn for those killed on Saturday clashes in Benghazi.
EU and US have condemned the suppression of pro-democracy protesters and expressed concern about "disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya."
The rights group Amnesty International has also urged the Libyan government to stop its crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Libyan envoy to the Arab League Abdel Moneim al-Honi and the country's Ambassador to China Hussein Sadeq Al Misurati, have resigned to join the protests.
Al-Honi has submitted his resignation "in protest against the acts of repression and violence against demonstrators."
Al Misurati told Al Jazeera TV that he was not "honored to represent a regime that kills its people."
An opposition leader has said that all tribes across the country have joined the anti-government protests, reports said.
Latest figures show the death toll from clashes in Libya's massive popular uprising is nearing 300.
People climb flag poles in front of a building purported to be the internal security headquarters in Libya's second city of Benghazi in this still grab taken from video uploaded February 20, 2011
At least 50 people have been killed in the Libyan city of Benghazi since 1300 GMT on Sunday, as protests calling for Muammar Gaddafi's ouster grow more violent, a doctor in the city says.
"Today has been a real tragedy ... since 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) and up to 9:15 p.m., we received 50 dead, mostly from bullet wounds," Habib al-Obaid, a doctor at al-Jalae hospital, said on Sunday.
"There are 200 wounded, 100 of them are in very serious conditions," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The repression became bloodier on Sunday when security forces opened fire on thousands of people who had gathered to mourn for those killed on Saturday clashes in Benghazi.
Libya's envoy to the Arab League Abdel Moneim al-Honi has submitted his resignation "in protest against the acts of repression and violence against demonstrators" and has joined the "revolution."
US has also condemned the suppression of pro-democracy protesters and expressed concern about "disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya."
Reports have put the number of people killed in the country's second largest city, Benghazi at more than 200 over the past days.
Residents in Benghazi reported that there was no electricity in parts of the city and tanks were stationed outside the city's main courthouse. Benghazi's airport is also reported closed.
The rights group Amnesty International has urged the Libyan government to stop its crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
Latest figures show the death toll from clashes in Libya's massive popular uprising is nearing 300.
Protesters have been demanding the ouster of the Libyan leader, who has been in power for over 40 years
More than 100 people have been killed in Libya since protests broke out across the North African nation six days ago, according to a watchdog group.
New York City-based Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that it now estimated at least 104 people had died in the unrest, though it called that figure "conservative".
Witnesses in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, tell Al Jazeera that at least 200 people have died there, with hundreds more wounded. Protests have also reportedly broken out in other cities, including Bayda, Derna, Tobruk and Misrata.
In Tripoli, the capital, supporters of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi have taken to the streets in large numbers, and security forces have prevented any large demonstrations against his 42-year reign.
Benghazi a war zone'
Moftah, a Benghazi man who requested Al Jazeera use only his first name, said the city had become a "war zone" in recent days. Residents have barricaded the streets with overturned trash cans and debris, and security forces have largely confined themselves to two compounds, though they continue to snipe at protesters, he said.
The forces who remain are "thugs" loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's longtime leader, Moftah said, and they are firing high-calibre ammunition at protesters.
Mariam, a doctor speaking from a hospital in Benghazi, said the military had shot at protesters with live ammunition and that even the hospital was not safe. An 8-year-old boy who had been shot in the head was among the dead, she said.
Security forces had reportedly opened fire at a funeral in the eastern, coastal city on Saturday, killing at least 15 people and injuring scores more.
The funeral was to honour protesters killed by security forces during the ongoing protests, which began on Monday after the arrest of a prominent lawyer and have continued to call for Gaddafi's downfall.
Another doctor from Benghazi's al-Jalah hospital said staff there had received 15 bodies and were treating numerous people following the funeral shootings. He said the hospital had counted 44 deaths in three days and was struggling to treat the wounded.
"This is not a well-equipped hospital and these injuries come in waves," he said. "All are very serious injuries, involving the head, the chest and the abdomen. They are bullet injuries from high-velocity rifles."
He said the wounded and dead were all civilians aged 13 to 35 and that the security forces were "absolutely" under a shoot-to-kill policy.
Appeal for calm
Against this backdrop of bloodshed, opposition groups said around 50 Libyan Muslim leaders have urged security forces to stop killing civilians.
"This is an urgent appeal from religious scholars, intellectuals, and clan elders from Tripoli, Bani Walid, Zintan, Jadu, Msalata, Misrata, Zawiah, and other towns and villages of the western area," the appeal signed by the group of leaders said.
"We appeal to every Muslim, within the regime or assisting it in any way, to recognize that the killing of innocent human beings is forbidden by our Creator and by His beloved Prophet of Compassion (peace be upon him) ... Do NOT kill your brothers and sisters. STOP the massacre NOW!"
The deaths came amid claims that a military brigade in Benghazi had fallen to the people. The doctor in Benghazi told Al Jazeera that protesters stormed the building on Saturday.
Ahmed, a Benghazi businessman who also gave only his first name, said hospitals in the city were overwhelmed with the number of dead and injured and were running out of blood.
"It's a big, big massacre. We've never heard of anything like this before. It's horrible," he said.
"The shooting is still taking place right now. We're about three kilometers away from it, and we saw this morning army troops coming into the city. You can hear the shooting now. They don't care about us."
Unrest 'spreading'
The unrest in Libya has largely been centred in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Bayda and Tobruk. But Al Jazeera has received reports that the protests have begun to spread to the country's west
Witnesses said thousands of people took part in peaceful protests in the western city of Misrata. They were demonstrating against state brutality, rather than calling for a change in government.
Mohamed Abdulmalek, the chairman of Libya Watch - a human rights group that monitors abuse in the country - said the delay of protests in the west was due to the heavy presence of security forces there, "not because the people did not want to go out".
"The security presence in Tripoli, for example, was so intense that people gathered individually in the beginning," Abdulmalek said from the United Kingdom. "The Libyan regime anticipated this, so the squares in Tripoli were occupied by security forces and therefore people were not allowed to gather."
"But eventually, the pressure on the capital started from outside Tripoli and now you see the people revolting. We have no doubt that the east and the west will unite."
Verifying news from Libya has been difficult since the protests began, thanks to restrictions on journalists entering the country, as well as Internet and mobile phone black outs imposed by the government.
The Libyan government has blocked Al Jazeera's TV signal in the country and residents have also reported that the network's website is inaccessible from there.
Internet cut
Internet service has been cut off, according to a US company that monitors web traffic.
Massachusetts-based Arbor Networks said data collected from 30 Internet service providers around the world showed that online traffic in and out of Libya was disconnected abruptly at 2:15 am local time on Saturday. The data also showed two partial service interruptions earlier in the day.
As of Sunday, it was still possible to reach Libyans by phone, and some in Tripoli had Internet access.
Protests in the country began on February 14, and three days later tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators seeking to oust Gaddafi took to the streets in what organisers called a "day of rage" modelled after similar protests in Tunisia and Egypt that ousted longtime leaders there.
Gaddafi has ruled Libya since 1969.
While Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa, two-thirds of the 6.5-million-strong population live on less than $2 a day.
Security forces in Libya have killed scores of pro-democracy protesters in demonstrations demanding the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi, the country's long time ruler.
Human Rights Watch said on Saturday that 84 people had died over the past three days.
A doctor in Benghazi told Al Jazeera that he had seen 70 bodies at the city's hospital on Friday in one of the harshest crackdowns against peaceful protesters thus far.
"I have seen it on my own eyes: At least 70 bodies at the hospital," said Wuwufaq al-Zuwail, a physician.
Al-Zuwail said that security forces had also prevented ambulances reaching the site of the protests.
The Libyan government has also blocked Al Jazeera's TV signal in the country and people have also reported that the network's website is inaccessible from there.
Protesters shot
A day earlier, marchers mourning dead protesters in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, reportedly come under fire from security forces, as protests in the oil-exporting North African nation entered their fifth day on Friday
Mohamed el-Berqawy, an engineer in Benghazi, told Al Jazeera that the city was the scene of a "massacre," and that four demonstrators had been killed.
"Where is the United Nations ... where is (US president Barack) Obama, where is the rest of the world, people are dying on the streets," he said. "We are ready to die for our country."
Verifying news from Libya has been difficult since protests began, thanks to restrictions on journalists entering the country, as well as internet and mobile phone black outs imposed by the government.
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters seeking to oust Gaddafi took to the streets across Libya on Thursday in what organisers called a "day of rage" modelled after similar protests in Tunisia and Egypt that ousted longtime leaders there. Gaddafi has ruled Libya since 1969.
Pro-government supporters also were out on the streets on Friday, according to the Libyan state television, which broadcasted images labelled "live" that showed men chanting slogans in support of Gaddafi.
The pro-Gaddafi crowd was seen singing as it surrounded his limousine as it crept along a road in the capital, Tripoli, packed with people carrying his portrait.
Deadly clashes
Deadly clashes broke out in several towns on Thursday after the opposition called for protests in a rare show of defiance inspired by uprisings in other Arab states and the toppling of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The worst clashes appeared to have taken place in the eastern Cyrenaica region, centred on Benghazi, where support for Gaddafi has historically been weaker than in other parts of the country.
Libya's Quryna newspaper reported on Thursday that the regional security chief had been removed from his post over the deaths of protesters in Bayda.
Libyan opposition groups in exile claimed that Bayda citizens had joined with local police forces to take over Bayda and fight against government-backed militias, whose ranks are allegedly filled by recruits from other African nations.
Political analysts say Libyan oil wealth may give the government the capacity to smooth over social problems and
reduce the risk of an Egypt-style revolt.
Gaddafi's opponents say they want political freedoms, respect for human rights and an end to corruption.
The government has proposed the doubling of government employees' salaries and released 110 suspected anti-government figures who oppose him - tactics similar to those adopted by other Arab governments facing recent mass protests.
Gaddafi also has been meeting with tribal leaders to solicit their support
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (C) leans on ouster Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh (L) seen in this group picture dated October 10, 2010
Authorities have reportedly sealed off the restive Libyan city of al-Baida hours after Pro-democracy protesters took control over the region.
Clashes erupted after government militias were deployed in the area following the incident to retake the city on Friday. Two exiled Libyan groups say the takeover came after some local police joined the protesters.
Meanwhile, police have killed at least three convicts as they tried to escape from El-Jedaida prison near the capital Tripoli.
Witnesses say there have been renewed scuffles between protesters and police forces in the city of Benghazi
The plainclothes police and snipers have vowed a sharp response to the protesters seeking an end to the long rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
The government supporters have called for tough action against the protesters.
"The people's power, the Jamahiriya [system of rule], the revolution, and Colonel Gaddafi are all red lines and those who try to cross or come near these lines are suicidal and playing with fire," a leading pro-government newspaper, Al-Zahf Al-Akhdar, said.
The opposition has accused the government of arming African migrants in the north to shoot pro-democracy protesters.
The developments come as Libyans have taken to the streets across the country on what they call the "day of anger."
The opposition says at least 30 people were killed in the crackdown. According to medical sources, 14 died in Libya's second-largest city, Benghazi.
Human rights group Amnesty International has also urged the Libyan government to stop its crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
Meanwhile Gaddafi's supporters have held a pro-government rally in the capital, Tripoli. The 63-year-old leader, who has ruled the country for 41 years, reportedly attended the rally.
Pro-democracy protesters have reportedly taken control over the eastern Libyan city of al-Baida as anti-Gaddafi regime rallies escalate across the North African country.
Two Libyan exile groups say the takeover came after some local police joined the protesters. Clashes are reportedly under way as government militias have been deployed to the area following the incident to re-take the city.
Libyans have taken to the streets across the country on what they call the "day of anger." The protesters want an end to the long rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
The opposition says at least 30 people were killed in the crackdown. According to medical sources, 14 died in Libya's second-largest city, Benghazi.
The opposition has accused the government of arming African migrants in the north to shoot pro-democracy protesters.
Meanwhile Gaddafi's supporters have held a pro-government rally in the capital, Tripoli. The 63-year-old leader, who has ruled the country for 41 years, reportedly attended the rally.
Meanwhile, human rights group Amnesty International has also urged the Libyan government to stop its crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
Thousands of Libyans, inspired by the historic revolution in Egypt, plan to hold mass protest rallies against the four-decade-long dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi, a report says.
Libyans are reportedly planning to hold rallies on Thursday, as the people-powered revolution continues to sweep the Arab World.
The report published in Mail Online under the title "Now even Mad Dog Gaddafi faces a Day of Rage" writes that even Libyans are now daring to hope that the 41-year-long rule of Gaddafi might be coming to an end.
The Monday report comes three days after a revolution ousted president Hosni Mubarak from power in Egypt.
The report also added that underground opposition groups and civil society movements were planning to hold mass pro-democracy protests in major cities across the country in the coming days.
"Behind the closed doors of their homes, they discussed whether the winds of change might blow through their own country," the report said.
Media Reports say the ageing dictator fears his country may soon face similar protests like Tunisia and Egypt.
Sources say Gaddafi has held a series of meetings in recent days with top officials within his regime to discuss concerns in the event of large-scale protests.
The world's longest serving leaders. Col. Gaddafi has been in power for over 40 years after assuming control in a military coup during the 1960s.
Yemen is bracing for its “day of rage,” with massive protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, despite his pledge not to seek another term.
About one million protesters are expected to rally in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, on Thursday.
So far, more than 20,000 Yemenis have taken to the streets of Sana'a, Reuters reported.
On Wednesday, the opposition groups welcomed Saleh's decision not to run for the next term, but said that they would not call off a planned rally in the capital on Thursday, dubbed a "day of rage."
"We consider this initiative positive, and we await the next concrete steps. As for our plan for a rally tomorrow, the plan stands and it will be organized and orderly," said Mohammed al-Saadi, the undersecretary of the Islamic Islah Party.
Massive anti-government demonstrations broke out in Yemen after the president proposed a constitutional amendment in January that could make Saleh the president of Yemen for life.
After days of anti-government demonstrations across the country, Saleh finally said on Wednesday that he would not seek to extend his presidency when his current term expires in 2013. He also pledged that he would not pass on power to his son.
The protests follow the recent revolutionary protests in Egypt and Tunisia, and other anti-government protests in Arab countries.
At least 147 people were killed and 510 injured during the Tunisian 'Jasmine Revolution' that unseated former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month, according to the United Nations.
Thousands of Tunisian protesters have kept up their daily rallies calling for old regime politicians to be swept from power and for the abolition of Ben Ali's Constitutional Democratic Rally Party.
In Egypt, revolutionary protests have continued across the crisis-hit country since January 25, demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down.
A report by the UN says at least 300 people have so far been killed and thousands more injured during the revolution protests.
In Jordan, protesters, inspired by the recent Arab-world uprisings, have been criticizing the government for its failure to carry out necessary political and economic reforms.
South Africa's Closing Argument Against Israel for Genocide at the ICJ
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