Fist-waving Tripoli residents vow to oust Gaddafi

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Shouting "Gaddafi is the enemy of God" and shaking their fists, hundreds of Tripoli residents vowed on Saturday to pursue an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi at the funeral of a man killed by the Libyan leader's soldiers.

In a poor neighbourhood of the Libyan capital openly defiant of Gaddafi's 41-year-old rule, hundreds of men gathered to pay tribute to one of five people they said had been killed when troops fired on protesters late on Friday.

The number could not be independently confirmed.

"We will demonstrate again and again, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," said Isham, 34, an engineer.

"We are not free."

His voice breaking with emotion, another man, Ismail, said: "Gaddafi forces came here, they shot everywhere during a demonstration that was peaceful."

The residents said government forces arrived in about 40 pickup trucks. They first fired teargas and then used automatic weapons against protesters marching from the working class Tajoura district to central Tripoli, Gaddafi's seat of power, after Friday prayers.

The government has denied using force against civilians.

"God is great. Gaddafi is the enemy of God," the crowd chanted, turning the funeral into another protest.

Many people spoke openly against the Libyan ruler, a stark contrast to the years when any suggestion of anti-Gaddafi sentiment was not tolerated.

"Everyone in Tajoura came out against the government. We saw them killing our people here and everywhere in Libya," said a man who identified himself as Ali, aged 25.

Another bystander said: "We want the government out."

Some people showed video footage taken on their mobile phones of people carrying wounded, with the sound of gunfire.

Residents said the wounded were being treated locally after several people disappeared from state hospitals following earlier clashes. One doctor said a small locally run clinic had received about 60 wounded people in recent days.

"Almost 10 people disappeared from hospitals," said one man, speaking in fluent English. He asked not to be identified.

"So all the injured are in hiding."

The dusty streets were strewn with smouldering piles of rubbish, broken glass and some spent bullet casings, but there was no evidence of security forces on Saturday.

In a nearby neighbourhood, where resident said there were other clashes, a street was full of twisted metal and blocks of concrete. Bloodstains could be seen on the steps of a burned out corner shop.

On one street, barricaded with palm tree trunks and piles of rubble, graffiti saying "Leave! Libya is free" covered houses. Some buildings and walls were scarred with bullet holes.

(editing by Elizabeth Piper)