The United Nations says there are indications that thousands of demonstrators have been killed in the violent crackdown by Libyan forces. UN High commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay has said the crackdown by Moamar Gaddafi's forces is escalating alarmingly, and that some sources indicate thousands may have been killed or injured. She was addressing an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council, convened in Geneva to examine the grave situation in the North African country. The violence is continuing in towns close to the capital Tripoli, where fierce fighting has killed at least 17 people. There had also been reports of a fierce battle for control of an airport near the opposition-controlled city of Misrata, about 200 km from Tripoli. The worst violence was witnessed in the town of Zawiyah, about 50 km west of Tripoli, where troops opened fire with automatic weapons and an anti-aircraft gun on a mosque where protesters had been taking shelter last evening. Agency reports say, that attack had left nearly 100 people dead. Gaddafi's opponents reportedly managed to capture a military air base.Speculation is rife over the whereabouts of the Libyan ruler who told the state TV on telephone last evening from an undisclosed destination that al-Qaeda of Osama bin Laden was responsible for unprecedented protests against his 41-year rule.In Washington, US President Barack Obama spoke over phone with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Premier David Cameroon and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and discussed the Libyan crisis. The White House said the leaders discussed a range of options that both the US and European countries are preparing to hold the Libyan government accountable for its actions. It said all options were on the table, including sanctions. Protests have also been organised in various countries in West Asia today against their governments. In Iraq, protesters took to the streets across country today to mark a Day of Rage, with thousands flooding Baghdad's Tahrir Square as five protesters died in clashes with police in two northern cities. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators at rallies in the northern city of Mosul and the town of Hawija left five dead and dozens wounded, while separate rallies in north and west Iraq left eight others injured.Bahrain government declared today as an official day of mourning while protestors took to the streets who are continuously camping at Pearl Square calling for sweeping political reforms in the country. Country’s crown prince Salman said that the national dialogue has not yet achieved in the country because of strict conditions set by the opposition. .In Yemen, Protestors took to the streets in large numbers where president Saleh has ordered the formation of a government committee to open a dialogue with protesters who are demanding the president to step down.In Egypt, large numbers of demonstrators gathered at Tahrir square today to press the military rulers for the rapid reforms after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.Reports say that, Influential intellectuals in Saudi Arab have asked Saudi King to adopt far-reaching political and social reforms. In a statement, the group says that Arab rulers should derive a lesson from the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and listen to the voice of disenchanted young people. The group includes renowned Islamic scholars, a female academic, a poet and a former diplomat.