Libyan ex- minister appointed to lead provisional govt

TRIPOLI, Feb 27 (agencies ): A member of the Benghazi city council says the Libyan cities under rebel control have appointed an ex-justice minister to lead a provisional government. Fathi Baja says opponents of Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi named Mustafa Abdel-Jalil to the provisional leadership post. Baja said Sunday that Abdel-Jalil was chosen by the committees running the eastern Libyan cities now in the rebellion's hands. On Saturday, Libya's top envoy to the U.S. also said Gaddafi opponents were rallying behind efforts to form an alternative government led by Abdel-Jalil, who has criticized Gaddafi's brutal crackdown on protesters. It was not immediately clear how much support the proposed provisional leadership commands. Meanwhile: Rebels advanced on the Libyan capital Sunday as US President Barack Obama urged Moammar Gaddafi to step down "now" amid growing fears that his teetering four-decade rule could descend into civil war. Fears of a full-scale civil war as Gaddafi loses his grip on power have prompted countries to evacuate tens of thousands of citizens and close down embassies, to escape reported gunfire, looting and food shortages. Rebels are closing in on the capital, where Gaddafi loyalists have been carrying out orders to shoot on sight, witnesses said. Forces fighting to oust the Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi have seized the city of Zawiya, 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Tripoli. The Libyan government took journalists to Zawiya Sunday morning. But instead of a show of government force, reporters saw opposition fighters manning the barricades in the city centre and flying their flag. Tripoli remains in the control of Col Gaddafi, who is facing the biggest challenge to his 41-year rule. Pro-Gaddafi forces are encircling Zawiya, which saw fierce fighting last week. Meanwhile: A resident told the news agency that tanks and all-terrain vehicles driven by regime partisans were patrolling almost deserted streets. "This escape of mine makes me feel I am in heaven," said Mohammed Sali, 63, an engineer in the first batch of Indian evacuees to return home. "One man came and put the knife on my neck. He took all my belongings-laptop, chain, even my car. "We heard gunshots every day... People have to go without food and water for three or four days as the situation there is bad. People are on the streets... police stations have been burnt down. There is no safety, no police."