Libyan ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi is battling to retain control of Tripoli and areas in western Libya as protesters consolidated gains in the east and foreigners continued to flee. Much of the capital is deserted as pro-Gaddafi gunmen roam the streets with reports of uprisings in western towns such as Misurata, Sabratha and Zawiya. Masses of protesters have been celebrating success in eastern towns. Thousands of foreigners continue to leave with chaos at Tripoli airport. At least 300 people have died in the country's uprising. As countries across the world started evacuating their nationals trapped in Libya, India and 14 other members of the powerful UN Security Council strongly condemned the use of force against the peaceful protesters and demanded an immediate end to violence in the country. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, India is keeping a close watch on the situation in Libya, where the death toll in anti- government protests has crossed 300. She said in a tweet, New Delhi is awaiting clearance for landing of its aircraft and for ships to evacuate its nationals. China began dispatching chartered planes and ships to evacuate thousands of its nationals working in a host of development projects in trouble-torn Libya. A Russian plane carrying 118 people arrived from Libya in Moscow yesterday . Russia's emergency ministry said it planned to send a total of four planes to Tripoli as well as a rescue raft to evacuate its nationals. The European Union urged Libya “to ensure the safety” of foreign nationals and ease their departure from the country