Speaking at a news conference, he said "Regarding east of Libya, the Benghazi airport runways have been destroyed. It is not possible for Egyptair flights or any other flights to land in that airport."

Meanwhile, witnesses in the Libyan capital Tripoli had reported "massacres" in certain neighbourhoods after the state channel announced that security forces were assaulting "dens of terrorists".

Libyan television has dismissed as "lies" the alleged massacre of protesters after embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi spoke publicly for the first time since the revolt began.

The announcement came as international outrage over Libyan security forces' brutal crackdown deepened, with the UN Security Council to meet later on Tuesday at the urging of Libyan diplomats who have quit in protest at Gaddafi’s regime.

"They say there are massacres in several cities, towns and neighbourhoods of Libya. We must fight against these rumours and lies which are part of psychological warfare," wrote Al-Jamahiriya Two state television on a red ticker.

Reiterating this information "aims to destroy your morale, your stability and your riches".

Gaddafi, 68, appeared on Libya television late on Monday night to scotch "malicious rumours" that he had abandoned the oil-rich North African nation in the face of protests that flared a week ago in the east of the country.

Government buildings on fire

"I am going to meet with the youth in Green Square" in downtown Tripoli, said Gaddafi in what state television called a live broadcast from outside the strongman's home.

"It's just to prove that I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela and to deny television reports, those dogs," he said as he stood under a silver umbrella while about to step into a car. Rain lashed Tripoli on Monday evening.

Despite the brief 22-second appearance, Gaddafi’s grip on Libya appeared increasingly shaky as loyalists quit and fighter pilots defected after being ordered to fire on demonstrators.

The uprising has spread to the capital, with gunfire rattling Tripoli, where protesters attacked police stations and the offices of the state broadcaster – Gaddafi’s mouthpiece - and set government buildings ablaze.

Human rights groups say the Libyan government's crackdown has killed between 200 and 400. Residents of two districts in Tripoli said by telephone there had been "a massacre," with gunmen "firing indiscriminately" in Tajura district.