Thursday, March 10, 2011

Gadhafi armed forces attack rebel stronghold

Libyan tanks fired on rebel positions around the oil port of Ras Lanuf and warplanes bombed another oil center in the east, in a counterattack by the forces of Muammar Gadhafi on insurgent strongholds. In the West, Gadhafi's army maintained a site in order to wear down the rebels who hold on to parts of the devastated city of Zawiyah, a strategic location due to its proximity to his power base in the capital Tripoli.

The place witnessed fierce clashes this week. But the rebels have advanced in their quest for international legitimacy when France recognized its national council. While oil prices remain high due to bombing in the east, there was no clear indication that Gadhafi has the deliberate intention of destroying oil infrastructure.

NATO and the European Union was considering imposing a no-fly zone to prevent forces loyal to Gadhafi to use its planes and helicopters against the insurgents, who have taken control of some cities in the east and west of Tripoli. The revolt against the Government of Gadhafi and takes three weeks.

Despite orders from the rebels, is not expected quick action, because NATO made it clear he needs more support, especially the United Nations to take such a measure. More than 500 miles east of Tripoli, aircraft and heavy weapons Gadhafi forces in the Mediterranean coast shelled rebel positions around Ras Lanuf, projectile impacting a building near the Libyan Emirates Oil Refinery Company.

The rebels reported another air strike in Brega, an oil port 90 kilometers east of Ras Lanuf, suggesting that forces loyal to Gadhafi not only stopped a rebel advance towards the west, but were also making inroads into the opposition-controlled facilities . State television reported that the rebels were driven out of port and airport of Es Sider, another oil terminal located 40 kilometers on the west coast of Ras Lanuf.

Meanwhile, the OPEC member rejected tankers in various ports of the country due to shortage of storage facilities for interruptions to supply from oil fields. Heavy fighting around oil facilities kept oil prices near two-year highs and a half, with Brent crude operating at 114.55 dollars a barrel.

The rebels, who were believed able to capture Tripoli, the main stronghold of Gadhafi admitted that they are now fighting to maintain the gains against the superior government forces. "(Gahdafi) could take it. With planes, tanks, mortars and rockets, could capture, "said Basim Khaled rebel fighter." An air exclusion zone would be great, "said another rebel, Salem al-Burqy, reflecting the view of many of their peers.

The counter- of Gadhafi has blocked a rebel advance from his power base in Benghazi in the east. The opposition forces were forced to retreat from the front line in the town of Bin Jawad, west of Ras Lanuf, after suffering intense attacks this week. One soldier said the rebels had taken up during the night the heart of Zawiyah, the nearest town, 50 kilometers from the capital.

The center seemed to change hands twice during the day on an uphill battle. " We fought until after three o'clock. All is quiet here this morning, "said the insurgent, named Ibrahim, in a statement directly. Mohamed, a Libyan who lives in exile on Thursday morning went to see a family on the outskirts of Zawiyah said I just was not clear who was winning the battle for the city.

"Yesterday (rebel sympathizers) tried to bring food and medicine from Subratha but failed. Government troops Zawiyah around everywhere, "he said." It is unclear who controls the center. Changes all the time. They are fighting street by street, "he said. France said Thursday the Libyan National Council, a rebel organization that is fighting to overthrow Gadhafi, as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

An official from the office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the European country to send an ambassador to Benghazi and receive a Libyan representative in Paris. The British Foreign Ministry suggested that it might soon make the same decision, stating that board members are "valid" and that Gadhafi should resign immediately.

The Pentagon said it was preparing a "wide range" of military options for Libya, including a no-fly zone. The plans were discussed at a meeting of NATO ministers in Brussels on Thursday. Military officials said that this initiative could be established quickly. Italy, whose bases may have a role in military action, has said he will support any decision taken by NATO, EU or UN, paving the way for U.S.

naval forces based in Naples to be deployed if necessary. Counterattacks loyalists suggest that the leader Gadhafi, who has been in power four decades, will not go away so quickly as did the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia to the popular uprising that is shaking the Arab world.

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