Libyan leader Muammar Qadaffy... an Arab institution for 42 years ...
, after a sermon in which the imam has promised that "victory is near".
"I bring you good news: victory is near, close ranks, the revolution will triumph," said the imam, Salem Jaber, to the assistance, in which the faithful made the "V" for victory, the square transformed into an open prayer room.
In an emotional sermon, punctuated by "Allah Akbar (God is greatest)" from the crowd, he paid tribute "to those who died for the liberation of oppressed Libya " after festivities in Brega, 200 km further west, which resulted in 18 deaths among cut-thoats, according to hospital sources.
"Tripoli is our capital and this night will be decisive. Our men will soon be there," assured the imam.
"We do not want military intervention or foreign interference," he repeated several times.
"We have enough men to fight," said Salem Jaber.
"Libya is one tribe from north to south and from east to west, from Ras Jedir to Am Saad," he added, referring to border posts at the Tunisian border to the west and Egyptian border to the east.
"Leave our country! Enough blood has flowed, enough is enough," he said to Colonel Qadaffy.
"Even if we all die, he must go," insisted the imam. "We win or we die," he said.
"There are mercenaries who invade our land, kill our children and destroy our country," he accused, talking about the "African mercenaries" who work for the regime.