Gadhafi's troops take initiative as EU dithers over no-fly zone
Source: Agencies |
March 12, 2011, Saturday
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Troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi battled to retake the oil port of Ras Lanouf yesterday, intensifying their counter-offensive against the out-gunned insurgents.
Government forces, with air supremacy and a big advantage in tanks, appear to have regained the momentum in the three-week old conflict and if their push proceeds apace, it could overtake -sluggish international efforts to halt Gadhafi.
The sound of explosions and small arms fire came from Ras Lanouf yesterday and smoke rose from the town. Rebel forces said they were still inside the residential area of the oil port and fighting government tanks as well as troops who landed by boat.
"Four boats carrying 40 to 50 men each landed there. We are fighting them right now," rebel spokesman Mohammed al-Mughrabi said.
Rebel fighter Ibrahim al-Alwani said he and his comrades were still in Ras Lanouf and had seen government troops in the town center. "I saw maybe 150 men and three tanks," he said.
Insurgents withdrew their last main checkpoint in Ras Lanouf yesterday, setting it up 15-20 kilometers to the east.
"This is our last checkpoint, ahead are clashes. The clashes are in the residential area (of Ras Lanouf)," rebel fighter Youssef Mohannad said at the checkpoint.
As international bodies agonize over whether, or how, to impose a no-fly zone, -Gadhafi's warplanes carried out an air strike behind enemy lines near Uqaylah, witnesses said, and rebels reported another bombing further east near Brega.
West of Tripoli, the revolt in Zawiyah appeared all but crushed, with insurgents clinging to only parts of the shattered city. Residents described scenes of carnage, with women and children among the dead.
As European Union heads of government prepared to meet in Brussels yesterday, Libya's insurgent leader repeated his call for a no-fly zone and warned any delay could let Gadhafi regain control.
"We ask the international community to shoulder their responsibilities," said Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, head of the National Libyan Council.
"The Libyans are being cleansed by Gadhafi's air force. We asked for a no-fly zone to be imposed from day one, we also want a sea embargo," he said. "We urgently need arms and we also need humanitarian assistance and medicines to be sent to cities besieged by Gadhafi troops."
The British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the EU must step up its -measures to isolate Gadhafi. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has already recognized the Libyan National Council as the legitimate authority, and both he and Cameron urged the EU to do the same.
Government forces, with air supremacy and a big advantage in tanks, appear to have regained the momentum in the three-week old conflict and if their push proceeds apace, it could overtake -sluggish international efforts to halt Gadhafi.
The sound of explosions and small arms fire came from Ras Lanouf yesterday and smoke rose from the town. Rebel forces said they were still inside the residential area of the oil port and fighting government tanks as well as troops who landed by boat.
"Four boats carrying 40 to 50 men each landed there. We are fighting them right now," rebel spokesman Mohammed al-Mughrabi said.
Rebel fighter Ibrahim al-Alwani said he and his comrades were still in Ras Lanouf and had seen government troops in the town center. "I saw maybe 150 men and three tanks," he said.
Insurgents withdrew their last main checkpoint in Ras Lanouf yesterday, setting it up 15-20 kilometers to the east.
"This is our last checkpoint, ahead are clashes. The clashes are in the residential area (of Ras Lanouf)," rebel fighter Youssef Mohannad said at the checkpoint.
As international bodies agonize over whether, or how, to impose a no-fly zone, -Gadhafi's warplanes carried out an air strike behind enemy lines near Uqaylah, witnesses said, and rebels reported another bombing further east near Brega.
West of Tripoli, the revolt in Zawiyah appeared all but crushed, with insurgents clinging to only parts of the shattered city. Residents described scenes of carnage, with women and children among the dead.
As European Union heads of government prepared to meet in Brussels yesterday, Libya's insurgent leader repeated his call for a no-fly zone and warned any delay could let Gadhafi regain control.
"We ask the international community to shoulder their responsibilities," said Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, head of the National Libyan Council.
"The Libyans are being cleansed by Gadhafi's air force. We asked for a no-fly zone to be imposed from day one, we also want a sea embargo," he said. "We urgently need arms and we also need humanitarian assistance and medicines to be sent to cities besieged by Gadhafi troops."
The British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the EU must step up its -measures to isolate Gadhafi. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has already recognized the Libyan National Council as the legitimate authority, and both he and Cameron urged the EU to do the same.
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