Thousands Libyans rallied in support of Al Qathafi in Zlitan on Friday

In reaction to the Libyan Contact Group's decisions in Istanbul, late Friday evening Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi said in a televised speech that the contact group's recognition of the "so-called" National Transitional Council does not represent the decision of the Libyan people.

In yet another audio speech through Libyan state television, Al Qathafi told thousands of Libyans mobilised to show their support for the Libyan leader in Zlitan, 32 kilometres from the rebel front lines and about 150 km east of the capital Tripoli: "Libyan people are represented by nobody, not even by Muammar Al Qathafi."

Thousands more supporters gathered in the Libyan capital, Tripoli's Green Square, in a show of support that was the largest for weeks.

Men, women and children, all demonstrated their loyalty to Al Qathafi as they crammed the main square of Zlitan. They reached the town earlier on countless buses, trucks, vans and cars that carried the Libyans as they made their way to the town east from the capital Tripoli and towns and villages en route to the rally.

“This is our answer to all the decisions they took against the Libyan people," Al Qathafi said.

He went on to say that he will carry on with the battle till the NATO forces are driven out of Libya, and the "traitors" should surrender or escape with the NATO forces.

Addressing the Libya Contact Group that met in Istanbul, Al Qathafi said: The Libyan people will trample on all your decisions."

Then went on to warn them: "You who used to be my friends in Europe, I advise you to get out of this tangle before it gets late. Then added: 'We'll give you a unique way out, that is to say, return to your countries and the withdrawal from our air space and waters."

At the same time Al Qathafi announced his willingness to develop peaceful ties with the Italians, French, the British, as well as American and other European peoples.

"The apostles of war, the enemies of humanity, the war criminals want neither the interest of their countries nor their good, but rather their evil," he said.

He lamented the fact that the West African and NATO countries speak of Libya's political and administrative life as if the country were a colony for which they decide the political regime to establish.

Shortly before the rally, at the conclusion of the fourth meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, the Libya Contact Group said it recognises the opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole and legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people.

Al Qathafi told his supporters: "The recognitions of the Council of Shame is worth nothing."These massive demonstrations make any such recognition worthless," he continued.

To the delight of his supporters, the Libyan leader hit out at the United States and other countries who have recognised the rebels.

There was no doubt that the crowd that attended the rally in Zlitan really believes in Muammar Al Qathafi, who keeps on expressing his defiance and his determination to stick to his guns and to power. At the same time that the rebels are promising a concerted move on Tripoli, there are indications that some sort of negotiation is underway to find a peaceful settlement.