TRIPOLI - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi addressed his supporters at a televised public rally in Tripoli on Wednesday, according to the Libyan state TV.

Related readings:  Nelly Furtado to give away $1 million Gaddafi fee  Gaddafi says he is in Libya  Gaddafi to denounce 'agitative rumors'  Gaddafi's son denies residential areas bombed

It was Gaddafi's third televised speech since the anti-government protests broke out in the country. The event was to mark the 34th anniversary of the launch of the Popular Committees.

Gaddafi reiterated that people exercise their authority through popular committees and popular conferences and he is merely a "symbol".

"People are standing behind their symbol leader," he said, insisting that he has handed authority to Libyan people since 1977.

He said the demonstrations which support him are not shown by the international media, adding that he is "not following any satellite television."

His speech was interrupted several times by chanting from his supporters, saying that they swore they would not abandon their leader.