Meanwhile, in another lengthy, rambling speech to supporters, [Qaddafi] continued to claim that there are no peaceful Libyan protests, only al Qaeda-backed efforts to tear the country apart. In the remarks, carried on state television, [Qaddafi] blamed the problems on former prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who were released to Libya and then freed by Libyan authorities after they pledged to reform. He said they turned out to be members of al Qaeda sleeper cells. He insisted his country is “stopping al Qaeda from flourishing,” and stopping Osama bin Laden from moving into North Africa.