Speaking to FNA about the West's growing military presence around Libya, member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Ebrahimi said, "Today, the West is concerned about Libya's oil resource since the victory of the popular revolution in the country will cut the hands of the arrogant powers from the Libyan oil resources."

"On the other hand, victory of the Libyan nation will facilitate eruption of revolutions in the other countries. Thus, the West is trying to prevent victory of this revolution by assisting (Muammar) al-Qaddafi," he continued.

He reminded Libya's proximity to the European continent, and added, "Any development in that country (Libya) can have strong impacts on the green continent, therefore, the West is specially sensitive to Libya."

Meantime, Ebrahimi pointed to the popular uprisings in Bahrain and the other Persian Gulf littoral states, and noted, "If the revolution in Bahrain produces results, it will affect (the current trend and the fate of) all the Persian Gulf littoral states. Hence, revolution in the Persian Gulf states will cause pressure for the West as it will cut the hands of the arrogant powers from the region forever."

Fighting intensified in Libya on Tuesday as pro-Qaddafi forces launched air and rocket attacks on rebels in Zawiya.