Fear and mistrust rule in capital of Libya

As gun battles raged across Tripoli today, few locals seemed to have faith in the ability of their new leaders to restore law and order.

In streets strewn with the torn remnants of green Gaddafi flags, ordinary people - businessmen, shopkeepers, housewives - are fearful of these men from the east. They have been fed horror stories for weeks by state television about the "foreign mercenaries" amassing in the rebel capital of Benghazi.

"Gaddafi still has a lot of support in this city, there are many men that are willing to die for him," one resident said.

Reporters have found dozens of loyalist bodies riddled with bullets, some with their hands tied behind their backs.

One woman said: "My children are terrified. The men go and fight, but we women stay home and pray to God this will end."