Hundreds of people marched through the city centre in support of an anti-government movement in Libya that has resulted in rising violence against civilians in the North African nation.

Carrying signs and chanting "United, we won't be defeated," the Toronto marchers reflected growing concern over the unrest in the oil-rich nation, which has been ruled by the strongman Moammar Gadhafi for 42 years.

The march route snaked its way through downtown, along Dundas Street and culminating at the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue, north of Queen Street.

Abdul Ali, a local man who took part in the Toronto demonstration, said that his heart breaks as he watches the violent crackdown in his homeland.

"All the Libyan people are my family," he said, while taking part in the demonstration at Yonge-Dundas Square. "They're using anti-aircraft (guns) and heavy artillery against those people."

Hundreds have been killed in the violence, which has led to growing international calls for Gadhafi to step aside.

On Saturday, U.S. President Barack Obama said definitively for the first time that the mercurial Libyan leader had lost legitimacy, and should hand over power.

The anger against the Gadhafi regime is also spreading around the globe.

Nadwa Elbadri, who marched in Toronto, said Gadhafi must leave office immediately. She added that the international community should do more to help oust the dictator.

"Words are not enough with Gadhafi," she said, noting that his controversial rule has lasted for four decades. "Now is the time for action. Now is the time to stop the massacre."

In Toronto, it wasn't just Libyan-Canadians who came out for Saturday's march. Essame Ali, who is of Egyptian origin, came out for his son, aged 7, who was born in Canada.

Egyptians watched history unfold in their own nation earlier this month when long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office by angry citizens.

Essame Ali said that the turmoil in the region is difficult to comprehend for his son, but he added that Saturday's event in Toronto is a good lesson in democracy.

In fact, he told his son that you need to "make your voice heard, and that's how you make a difference."

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman