Protesters march in Tripoli

A witness said demonstrators quickly dispersed once a brigade of pro-Gaddafi fighters rushed to the scene.

people are protesting in the east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, chanting slogans against their leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Protesters began the rally in the Tajoura district on Monday after the funeral of a person killed in attacks on demonstrators by pro-Gaddafi militias last week.

A witness said demonstrators quickly dispersed once a brigade of pro-Gaddafi fighters rushed to the scene.

Security forces were reportedly firing in the air after several sports utility vehicles pulled into the square where the protest was taking place.

Armed government loyalists have clamped down on the capital, setting up checkpoints and patrolling streets, after the opposition tried to launch major protests on Friday.

Those attempted rallies were dispersed by hails of gunfire.

Opposition controlling the east

Meanwhile, most of eastern Libya and cities close to Tripoli are in the hands of the opposition.

Reporting from the eastern city of Benghazi, said there was a clear will among protesters there to head to Tripoli to help the people there fight the regime.