“Gaddafi is old. Young people use the Internet. They want change,” he said, speaking anonymously for fear of being identified by the authorities.

“I want to make a future for myself. But with Gaddafi, there is no future … Here, we are angry. But we can’t show it because Gaddafi is here in the city.”

Just two weeks ago, Tripoli was abuzz with talk of imminent change after uprisings in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia inspired young people to take to the streets and call for the end of Gaddafi’s four-decade rule.

The deaths of protesters elsewhere in the Arab world have only ignited people’s rage. But in Libya, Gaddafi’s blistering military response to the revolt has shocked people into silence.

“I can’t do that (protest),” said the businessman. “I am 25. I don’t want to be shot.”