Opposition struggling to oust embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi announced on Sunday it has formed a national council in an effort to free the country of the dictator's rule.
"The main aim of the national council is to have a political face ... for the revolution," a spokesman for Libya's Benghazi-based council, Hafiz Ghoga, was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying.
"We will help liberate other Libyan cities, in particular Tripoli through our national army, our armed forces, of which part have announced their support for the people," Ghoga said.
Violent nationwide protests demanding the end of the 42-year rule of Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi are currently raging across Libya. National authorities clamped down on the protests.
Up to 2,000 people were killed and between 4,000 and 6,000 others were wounded in the clashes with security forces. Libyan authorities have pledged to continue to suppress the opposition.
Gaddafi has almost lost his grip on power in the eastern part of the country. Meanwhile, the west of Libya, including Tripoli and Surt, an important center for oil production, are currently under control of his supporters.
Anti-Gaddafi forces took control of Az Zawiyah, a city in the northwest of the country, on Sunday. The city houses the country's largest oil refinery. At least 50 people died in the clashes and dozens were wounded.
The United Nations Security Council on Sunday adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on Libya's leadership. The sanctions, designed to end violence in the African state, include a total arms embargo, travel bans and a freeze of certain accounts.
MOSCOW, February 27 (RIA Novosti)
