Embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi accused Western countries, especially France, of plotting to "colonize" his oil-rich nation, in an interview aired by France's LCI television channel March 9.

When questioned on the stand taken by Western powers, and France in particular, Gaddafi said they "want to colonize Libya again", adding: "It's a colonialist plot."

Britain and France have made the most aggressive calls among Western powers for a no-fly zone to stop Gaddafi’s troops attacking opposition forces staging a more than three-week-old rebellion.

The United States has said any such move would need to have full UN backing. Paris has also praised the national council set up by the rebels.

Libya was annexed by Italy in 1912 after an Italian invasion of the north African country ostensibly to safeguard its interests.

When asked if he envisaged "reprisals" against France, Gaddafi replied: "We'll see", the AFP reported.