Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- At first glance, "Mahmoud" would seem the perfect candidate to be a supporter of Moammar Gadhafi. 

He has prospered during the Libyan leader's 41-year reign, first as a professional and later taking care of his deceased father's businesses. 

But, as with many things in Tripoli, a first glance can be deceiving. 

"Ninety percent of the people in Tripoli hate Gadhafi," Mahmoud told me over sips of espresso at a corner coffee shop this weekend. "All his people do is tell lies. If anyone tells you different they are just afraid." 

CNN is withholding his real name for his own safety. 

On an almost hourly basis, regime officials and government minders tell foreign journalists that Tripoli is a stronghold of Gadhafi and that dissent has vanished in recent months. 

CNN, like other media here, is under severe government restrictions. But I recently managed to slip away from government minders to talk directly to several Libyans. 

And according to several eyewitness accounts, major demonstrations were held against Libya's strongman as recently as last week. 

And in the Souq al-Juma neighborhood of the capital, where anti-Gadhafi protests first erupted in February, the government's propaganda bubble is quickly burst. 

While international journalists including me were ferried by government minders to a pro-Gadhafi rally at Green Square on Friday afternoon, multiple sources tell CNN that several Tripoli neighborhoods were wracked by running battles between protesters and security forces. 

"They were protesting right around the corner. They streamed out of a mosque and onto the small square," said Mahmoud. "Almost immediately Gadhafi forces fired at them with live rounds." 
What is a city in Libya?
Is it the capital?
Who rules the country?
How long has he been in power?
Is he liked?
How many people don't like him?
Even those who have done well during his rule?
Are some scared to say what they think?
Does the government tell the truth?
What do they say?
Can the press move around freely?
Who stops them?
What is a neighborhood in Tripoli?
What happened there?
When did they start?
Where were reporters taken on Friday?
Where?
What happened during it?
Was it close to the rally?
Was the person in the article referred to by his real name?
Tripoli
Tripoli, Libya
yes
in the Souq al-Juma neighborhood of the capital
Moammar Gadhafi
He has prospered during the Libyan leader's 41-year reign
41 years
Libyan leader's 41-year reign
no
Ninety percent of the people in Tripoli hate Gadhafi,
90% of the people in Tripoli
Ninety percent of the people in Tripoli hate Gadhafi
yes
Mahmoud" would seem the perfect candidate to be a supporter of Moammar Gadhafi. 
yes
 If anyone tells you different they are just afraid." 
no
All his people do is tell lies
Tripoli is a stronghold of Gadhafi and that dissent has vanished in recent months.
government minders tell foreign journalists that Tripoli is a stronghold of Gadhafi and that dissent has vanished in recent months. 
no
media here, is under severe government restrictions.
the government
severe government restrictions.
Souq al-Juma neighborhood
the Souq al-Juma neighborhood
anti-Gadhafi protests
anti-Gadhafi protests first erupted in February
February
 first erupted in February
to a pro-Gadhafi rally
were ferried by government minders to a pro-Gadhafi rally
Green Square
pro-Gadhafi rally at Green Square
neighborhoods were wracked by running battles between protesters and security forces.
several Tripoli neighborhoods were wracked by running battles between protesters and security forces. 
yes
They were protesting right around the corner.
no
CNN is withholding his real name