Some 15,000 worshippers gathered outside the courthouse that has become the headquarters of the rebel council which is urging foreign states to set up a “no-fly” zone to help them in their fight to overthrow Qaddafi.

“Help us to become a democratic country,” said one banner strung between lampposts and written in English and Arabic.

“Save Zawiyah from bombing: no food, no medicine, no baby formula,” read another. Zawiyah is a town in the west of the country where Qaddafi’s forces have been battling rebels for control.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the head of the National Libyan Council, has called for a no-fly zone to protect the rebels from Qaddafi’s air force. Speaking to the BBC, Abdel Jalil also called for a sea embargo and said the rebels needed weapons and humanitarian assistance.

Foreign leaders remain divided over whether or how to intervene in the turmoil. The European Union tightened sanctions on Thursday but there was disagreement on whether to recognize the rebel council — a step taken by France on Thursday.

The United States, embroiled in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been stressing the need for international support for any intervention in Libya.

According to a sombre assessment by US President Barack Obama’s national intelligence chief, James Clapper, Qaddafi is “in this for the long haul” and was likely to prevail.

In Benghazi, one banner thanked France and President Nicolas Sarkozy, who together with British Prime Minister David Cameron declared on Thursday that Qaddafi must step down.

The leaders called for the preparation of plans to help the rebels, which could include a no-fly zone.

In Benghazi, some expressed concern that Qaddafi, better armed and equipped, had the upper hand.
 

“We worry that (Qaddafi) has a force that our young people cannot face,” said Ali Mahmoud, 52, a businessman. “We are not fighting an army, we are fighting a gang,” he said.

The pre-Qaddafi Libyan flag, a symbol of the rebellion against his rule, fluttered in the sea breeze as men, women and children arrived for the prayers, guarded by members of the revolutionary military force armed with assault rifles.

Some 15,000 people had gathered by noon, ignoring a warning from Tripoli telling them not to pray outside.

The warning on state television addressed the people of the east, telling them “not to go to Friday prayers in public squares and open spaces.” It said their lives were in danger from “mercenaries and criminal gangs.” Libyan mobile phone subscribers also received SMS messages on Friday saying Ajdabiyah and Benghazi in the east would be recaptured soon.

“They are human beings in Europe and America and eventually they will have to intervene on behalf of the Libyan people,” said Mustafa Gheriani, media officer for National Libyan Council.

“This is not an overnight revolution. But if we get the help of a no-fly zone and tactical air strikes then (Qaddafi) won’t last two or three days,” he said.

Najim Bawi, a 32-year old banker, said: “I can’t believe I am saying this but as soon as I finish this coffee I am going to fight.

“I have never held a gun in my life ... We can do it on our own but we need weapons, if the United Kingdom gives us weapons to defeat Qaddafi, I know the souls of its people will be with God.”