Libya warned today it could target military and civilian air and sea traffic in the Mediterraneanif there was foreign military intervention, the official Jana news agency reported.

"Any military operation against Libya will expose all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean to danger," Jana quoted Libya's defence ministry spokesman as saying.

"And any civilian or military moving traffic will be the target of a Libyan counter-offensive," he said.

"The Mediterranean basin will be exposed to grave danger, not just in the short term but also in the long term."

WARNING TO BENGHAZI RESIDENTS

Meanwhile, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a radio broadcast this evening warned residents in the rebel-held stronghold of Benghazi: 'we are coming tonight'.

He also warned that there would be 'no mercy' unless the people laid down their arms, and said that every house would be searched.

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