Gaddafi calls on 'millions' to protest while NTC launches assault on Sirte

He also said "conditions in Libya are unbearable now" in the speech.

Gaddafi claims the National Transitional Council, which has assumed leadership of the country since then-rebel forces swept into Tripoli in late August, has no legitimacy because it was not nominated or appointed by the people.

In the new broadcast, he called on his countrymen to "go out in new million-man marches in all cities and villages and oases." He went on: "Be courageous, rise up, go out in the streets. Raise the green flag in the skies ... the conditions in Libya are unbearable." The former leader made the appeal in an poor quality audio recording and it has not been possible to verify his identity.

Revolutionary forces, aided by Nato airstrikes, have gained control over most of the North African nation and forced the leader and two of his sons into hiding.

Gaddafi has made several speeches on Arrai TV as he tries to rally supporters, who are still waging fierce resistance in his besieged hometown of Sirte, the town of Bani Walid south east of Tripoli and pockets in the south.

The last time the outside world heard from Gaddafi was in a broadcast on 20 September, when he called the revolution a "charade gaining its legitimacy through airstrikes."

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross (IRC) has been delivering medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to civilians in Sirte amid rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Meanwhile the National Transitional Council has launched the biggest assault on the city of Sirte, the most important of the pro-Gaddafu cities still holding out against Libya’s new rulers, the BBC reported.

Though hundreds of families have been streaming out of the city to escape the violence an unknown number still remain in the city.

Hundreds of vehicles have advanced on the city from both east and west and are close to the centre.