Oil was a deterrent factor in Muammar Gaddafi preserving his dictatorship, Levon Zurabyan, Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (ANC), told journalists February 25.

"In fact, oil helps Gaddafi to improve living conditions for his citizens. However, the latest developments have shown it is not enough. The cruelty he has shown toward his own people - while he cynically believed that the problem of Mubarak and Ben Ali was that they did not use enough force - proves that no factors, oil or violence, can stop popular riots," the oppositionist said.

Zurabyan added that any dictator shooting at his own people deserves condign punishment and appearing before the Hague Court.