Fallen Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said that he is still fighting on the ground and ready to die a martyr, the website of Allibiya state-run TV quoted Gaddafi as saying in a speech broadcast on local radio in Bani Walid, one of his last strongholds.

"Heroes have resisted and fallen as martyrs and we too are awaiting martyrdom," Gaddafi said.

Gaddafi also hailed the fierce resistance by his supporters in Bani Walid, south of Tripoli, which has resisted a siege by forces of the National Transitional Council for several weeks.

He further said that unexpected shock "awaits this clique of agents in the coming days."

Gaddafi is still on the run, though rebels control most of the North African country and are working on setting up a new government to replace the ousted leader's regime.