Squeeze Play Begins On Libya's Khadafi

Mumar Khadafi had to know this was coming. After revolutions saw the longstanding regimes fall in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, it wasn't going to be long before Libyans saw that the protests could succeed and bring down autocratic and despotic regimes as well as bring about a new political activism.

Libyans have taken to the streets en masse.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Libya Wednesday in the first sign that the unrest which toppled governments in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt has spread to the North African nation.

Witnesses said protesters in the eastern port city of Benghazi chanted slogans demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi.

The Associated Press said that the crowds did not appear to direct their anger at Moammar Gadhafi, who is Africa's longest-serving leader. He has ruled for 41 years.

However, Dubai-based television news service Al-Jazeera reported that sources said the demonstrators chanted slogans against the "corrupt rulers of the country."

Al-Jazeera said the protesters had called on citizens to observe Thursday as a "Day of Rage," hoping to emulate the popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and end Gadhafi's regime.

Violent clashes between protesters and security forces were reported in Benghazi.