The Libyan Interior Minister has stepped down in the latest high profile resignation from the Gaddafi regime, CNN reported tonight.

It said he had also called on the Libyan army to side with the people against the Libyan leader.

The Justice Minister resigned two days ago and there have also been several resignations in the Libyan diplomatic corps, including, today, that of the Libyan ambassador to the United States.

It was also reported from Libya tonight that major units of the Libyan army have been deployed near Sabbrata, close to Tripoli. Their purpose was not clear.

LIBYA ADMITS 300 KILLED

Meanwhile, Libya admitted today that the disturbances of the past few days have killed 300 people, including 58 soldiers. Nearly half of the fatalities were said to have been in second city Benghazi, where most of the violence has occurred.

It is the first time the regime has provided figures for the number of casualties since the anti-government demonstrations broke out on February 15. The numbers, displayed on a large screen at the venue of a press conference, did not specifically state that the toll dated from then.

Although government restrictions have complicated the task of compiling a tally, Human Rights Watch has said 233 had been killed in the uprising while the International Federation for Human Rights put the toll at between 300 and 400.