Libyan army sets ultimatum to clear Benghazi
TRIPOLI, March 16 (Reuters) - The Libyan army issued an ultimatum on Wednesday to residents of the opposition capital Benghazi, warning them to leave rebel-held locations and weapons storage areas by 2200 GMT, Libyan television reported.
A text on the screen of Al-Libya television addressed inhabitants of the eastern city, saying the army was coming "to support you and to cleanse your city from armed gangs.
"It urges you to keep out by midnight of areas where the armed men and weapon storage areas are located."
Libyan television broadcast reports on Tuesday that supporters of Muammar Gaddafi had rallied in the city, which foreign journalists there could not confirm. It was not clear whether this warning would be followed by any action. (Reporting by Ali Abdelati and Souhail Karam, writing by Tom Heneghan; Editing by Elizabeth Fullerton)
