Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: The Saudis Intervene in Bahrain

2200 GMT: Another appearance by Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi tonight. Addressing supporters in Tripoli, he chided his opponents: "You are saying Gaddafi is going to leave the country. Do you think Gaddafi would leave?....Those traitors who let Libya down during the Italian imperialism, they have left their children with the shame."

Qaddafi spoke as the opposition held an anti-regime rally in their base in Benghazi in the east.

2105 GMT: A gang armed with clubs and butcher knives attacked the printing press of Bahrain's only opposition newspaper, Al Wasat, early Tuesday morning.

Al Wasat, which means "The Centre" in Arabic, was set up in 2002 after Bahrain's King introduced reforms that allowed independent press licences. All of Bahrain's other newspapers are pro-government or affiliated with senior officials.

2100 GMT: Two clips claiming to be of protests in Syria today:

2050 GMT: Claimed footage of police shooting at protesters in Sitra in Bahrain today:

2040 GMT: More on the 45-minute talk yesterday between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mahmoud Jibril of the opposition Libyan National Transitional Council....

Andrea Mitchell of American NBC News says that, after the meeting, an "off-camera read out" from a US official made clear that Clinton had not accepted the opposition requests for airstrikes on three Libyan airfields, military aid, and a no-fly zone. The Secretary of State said that the no-fly proposal must go to the United Nations.

1925 GMT: Thanks for James Miller for covering the last few hours.

A US official has confirmed that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met Mahmoud Jibril of the opposition Libyan National Transitional Council, discussing how the US can aid efforts to depose Muammar Qaddafi.

The talks in Paris lasted for about 45 minutes. No further details of what options were discussed.

1815 GMT: An eyewitness for Al Jazeera is reporting that plain-clothed police attacked unarmed civilians today. Hundreds were wounded and at least 2 killed in clashes today. 

Time magazine describes the complicated situation in the Gulf nation. The GCC was established to prevent outside forces from invading, and now it is being used to put down domestic strife. Meanwhile, Iran is attempting to capitalise on the situation by condemning the move and backing the protesters, and the U.S. is put in the awkward spot of watching violence unfold in an area of great economic and strategic importance.

On that last note, Al Jazeera is reporting that members of the State Department and the Pentagon were unaware that GCC troops were being deployed to Bahrain, the area where the U.S. 5th fleet is ancored.

(Perhaps the U.S. intelligence community should read EA's liveblogs.)

1801 GMT: The Obama administration has dispatched Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman to Bahrain. Feltman will serve as a diplomat in the hopes of facilitating talks between pro-democracy demonstrators and the monarchy. 

Feltman's arrival is timely, as military support from Bahrain's neighbors, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), have already begun to arrive. Last night, we reported that over 1000 Saudi Arabian soldiers had arrived, and today they were joined by 500 policemen from the United Arab Emerates. There are also reports of Qatari security forces inside Bahrain. 

This move is clearly an attempt to stem further violence. White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor made this comment at a press conference this afternoon:

"One thing is clear: there is no military solution to the problems in Bahrain. A political solution is necessary and all sides must now work to produce a dialogue that addresses the needs of all of Bahrain’s citizens."

1645 GMT: Rebel fighters have told Al Jazeera that they are pulling out of Ajdabiya in east Libya, the last major opposition-held town before the insurgent base of Benghazi, the country's second-largest city.

Regime jets had used rocket fire against a checkpoint at the western entrance to the town, forcing rebels back, then unleashed an artillery bombardment on the position and a nearby arms dump.

1625 GMT: The toll from today's violence in Bahrain, according to medical sources, is now two dead and more than 200 injured.

1610 GMT: Al Arabiya is reporting that Qatari troops have arrived in Bahrain.

1535 GMT: Two videos claiming to be of protests and clashes today in Sitra in Bahrain:

1535 GMT: Bahrain has called back its ambassador from Iran after Tehran, earlier in the day, denounced the entry of troops from Gulf states to assist Bahraini security forces.

1530 GMT: Thanks to James Miller for taking the afternoon shift. I return to find that Egyptian authorities have dismantled State Security, replacing it with a national security agency to combat terrorism.

1521 GMT: On Al Jazeera, a clearly emotional and panicked eyewitness reporter from Manama, Bahrain: "Tens or hundreds injured," shot by security forces, near the Pearl Roundabout. When asked whether the security forces were Bahraini or Saudi, his response was very clear: "Saudi, all of them." These reports contradict earlier reports, before violence broke out, that the security forces were comprised of police, and the Saudis were nowhere to be seen in the capital of Bahrain.

1516 GMT: The Telegraph's Rob Crilly has this report from Libya:

Just raced out of Ajdabiyah in a column of rebel fighters. Saw two pickups that had flat tyres but kept going

1505 GMT: Al Jazeera English has a first-hand account from a rebel fleeing the town of Ajdabiya:

 "'We have lost Brega completely. We could not face Gaddafi's forces,' said a rebel, who identified himself only as Nasser, in the town of Ajdabiyah further east which was also under attack.

One witness, Ahmed Mohammed, who was filling up his car with fuel on his way out of Ajdabiyah, said: "Gaddafi forces entered into the centre of Ajdabiyah that is when we were shot at."

The rear window of his car was shattered. 'They shot through the window, the shot through the window,' said one of two women in the back of the car, where there were also five children. The car had shattered glass scattered inside."

1455 GMT: Libya - Multiple opposition sources have claimed that the Free Libyan Air Force, comprised of forces that have defected from Gaddafi's military, have destroyed two warships and damaged a third as the battle rages against the rebel-held positions of Ajdabiya and Brega.

Despite claims by the Libyan State TV that pro-Gaddafi forces have taken Ajdabiya, multiple sources have reported that rebels maintain at least some control over the city.

1444 GMT: Bahrain - The Guardian's Martin Chulov is reporting that at least 9 protesters have been rushed to Sulaymaniyah Medical Center (SMC) in Manama, and at least 2 protesters have been killed, after clashes between security forces and protesters in Bahrain's capital today. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition has been fired at demonstraters who have been described by multiple reporters as "peaceful protesters."

1419 GMT: The G-8 has once again failed to come to consensus on a no-fly zone over Libya. Russia and Germany blocked the move, and the Italian Foreign Minister expressed doubt as to whether a no-fly zone could stop the violence.

Libyan State TV is reporting that the city of Ajdabiya has been captured by pro-Gaddafi forces. 

1405 GMT: Bahrain - ABC News is reporting that a major newspaper in Manama, Al Wasat, has been attacked by "gangs" of men carrying clubs and knives. The staff of the newspaper used a different publisher to release the paper, and has vowed that the paper will be distributed "whatever happens."

Bahrain's State TV has denied the report that a Saudi soldier has been killed.

1353 GMT: Syria - There are several reports of protests erupting in the Hamidiyeh Souq (market) in Damascus. Also, a video has been posted from an opposition Facebook page, calling for people to join the "March 15 Revolution." 

This video, allegedly taken today, shows the growing crowds of protesters:

1335 GMT: Reuters is reporting than one protester was killed and many others wounded today in the Bahraini city of Sitra.

1320 GMT: Al Jazeera is reporting that there are now large-scale protests gathering near the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, Bahrain. According to a reporter calling from the scene, the Saudi troops "cannot be found anywhere." There are unconfirmed reports that a protester has been killed.

The name of the Saudi Arabian soldier killed in Bahrain has been released: Sergeant Ahmed al-Raddadi. 

1307 GMT: A Saudi Arabian security official, who has stayed anonymous, has reported that a Saudi soldier has been killed in Bahrain, where a three month state of emergency has just been announced. The declaration would give the military commander the power "to take necessary steps to restore national security."

1249 GMT: Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reports from Benghazi that the rebels in Libya have a new commander, an experienced commander who has defected from Gaddafi's military. He also claims that Benghazi is in no immediate danger of falling to pro-Gaddafi forces. 

1150 GMT: We're watching rumours of renewed conflict in villages in Bahrain. Meanwhile, more information comes out about the entry of forces from Gulf states, notably Saudi Arabia's 1200 troops.

Some observers are noting the coincidence between the Saudi incursion and a Monday meeting between Bahrain's Commander-in-Chief Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and the Commander of the US 5th Fleet, Mark Fox. They "discussed bilateral ties and growing relations, particularly military co-ordination and defence co-operation". The Bahraini press release adds, "Issues of joint interest also came under the spotlight."

1130 GMT: Raw footage from Reuters of residents of the towns of Tobruk and Adjabiya in east Libya, expressing fear but also resolve over the prospect of advancing regime troops:

1000 GMT: The opposition in Libya is claiming they have data that establishes Algerian military flights to Libyan airports in support of the Qaddafi regime.

The information shows 22 flights by Algerian aircraft to Libyan destinations between 19 and 26 February. Some are listed as passenger flights by Air Algerie, using civilian aircraft, but the majority are labelled “special flights” by aircraft bearing registration codes used by the Algerian military.

The military planes appear to be C-130 Hercules and Ilyushin Il-76, aircraft big enough to carry battle tanks, from Algeria and within Libya. The destinations include small airports in Sabha and Sirte, key forward bases for the regime forces advancing on rebels in the east.

0945 GMT: Yemen’s President Ali Abduallah Saleh has fired the government minister, Hamoud al-Hattar, in charge of trying to engage his opponents in dialogue.

0630 GMT: The opposition in Libya claims that four regime fighters have been arrested for the murder of an Al Jazeera cameraman, Ali Hassan Al Jaber.

0625 GMT: The State Department has warned US citizens in Bahrain to "consider departing". It has authorised the voluntary departure of some family members of embassy staff from the country.

0615 GMT: The opposition leadership in Libya has called for military strike and the assassination of Muammar Qaddafi as well as a no-fly zone.

Mustafa Gheriani, the spokesman for the National Transitional Council, said the appeal was being made by a delegation meeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Paris on Monday.

"We are telling the west we want a no-fly zone, we want tactical strikes against those tanks and rockets that are being used against us and we want a strike against Gaddafi's compound," said Gheriani. "This is the message from our delegation in Europe."

Asked if this meant the Council wanted the west to assassinate Gaddafi, Gheriani replied: "Why not? If he dies, nobody will shed a tear."

0610 GMT: In Egypt, a detailed website has been established to provide information on Saturday's referendum on amendments to the Constitution.

0550 GMT: The Libyan regime continued to extend its attacks on Monday. Reports indicate its forces took Zuara in the far west, on the Tunisian border, but it is still unclear if the re-capture of Brega, the oil port in north central Libya, has been completed. 

Even more worrying for the opposition were reports of airstrikes on Ajdabiya further up the Libyan coast. The town is the last major position before Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city and the central base of the opposition and its National Transitional Council.

Talk of an internationally-sanctioned no-fly zone to protect the opposition areas continues to drift. The latest report this morning is that Lebanon may introduce a resolution in the United Nations Security Council.

So the more dramatic and tangible news on Monday came from Bahrain. Saudi Arabia sent a National Guard battalion of 1200 troops into the country as part of a "security shield" by the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates as well as Bahrain). The UAE also said on Tuesday that it has sent 500 police to assist the Bahraini monarchy.