Monday, March 07, 2011

Troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi launched counter-offensives against rebel-held towns Sunday, increasing fears that Libya is heading for a protracted civil war rather than the swift revolutions seen in Tunisia and Egypt.
At least 18 people, including a baby, were killed in the fighting in the town of Misrata, to the east of Tripoli, a doctor told Reuters by phone.

The Gadhafi government proclaimed sweeping overnight victories over what it called terrorist bands.
But after what residents said was a day of fierce fighting with artillery, rockets and mortar bombs, rebel forces announced they had fought off Gadhafi’s forces in the towns of Zawiyah, to the immediate west of Tripoli, and Misrata, 200 kilometers east of the capital.

“They came from three sides and managed to enter the town from the west and south, but when they reached the center of Misrata the rebels pushed them back,” one resident, who did not want to give his name, told Reuters agency by phone.
If rebel soldiers were able to continue their fitful advance westward, Misrata could be a stepping stone to reaching Tripoli, Gadhafi’s main stronghold.

“We would like to put the people of this great nation at ease … because the regime is spreading rumors,” opposition rebel council spokesman Hafiz Ghoga told a Benghazi news conference. “Both Zawiya and Misrata are secured, liberated cities.” He also said they had not been contacted over a plan by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for an international mediating mission on Libya. A group of mostly Latin American states in a leftist bloc behind Chavez Friday endorsed the plan .

Gadhafi’s troops, backed by tanks, artillery, warplanes and helicopters also attacked positions near the port of Ras Lanuf, 660 kilometers east of Tripoli.
Rebels were forced to retreat from Bin Jawad, which is on the road to Sirte, Gadhafi’s hometown, under heavy fire.
“Gadhafi’s cut us to pieces. He’s firing on us with tanks and missiles. I don’t know what we’re going to do now,” Momen Mohammad told Reuters.

Loyalists had poured into Tripoli’s streets at dawn Sunday firing into the air and holding portraits of Gadhafi.
“These are celebrations because government forces have taken control of all areas to Benghazi and are in the process of taking control of Benghazi,” said spokesman Moussa Ibrahim, referring to Libya’s second city, situated in the far east. But the celebrations appeared to be premature as Benghazi remained firmly under rebel control while insurgents stood their ground at Zawiya and Misrata.

Rebels surrounded by troops near the center of Zawiya faced another attack after repelling two assaults by tanks and infantry the day prior. “This morning, there was a new attack, bigger than yesterday. There were one-and-a-half hours of fighting … Two people were killed from our side and many more wounded,” spokesman Youssef Shagan said by phone. “We are still in full control of the square.”

Elite brigades under Gadhafi’s son Khamis also launched an assault on Misrata. “The brigades tried to reach the center of the town but revolutionaries managed to repel them. They retreated to the airbase,” said a resident on condition of anonymity. “The revolutionaries captured 20 soldiers and seized a tank. The town is now fully in the control of the youths,” he said. A doctor who works at Misrata’s main hospital told Reuters: “We have 18 martyrs but the figure is not final. We also have many people wounded.” He added that the dead included rebels and civilians.

Rebels first took Bin Jawad Saturday but later withdrew. Army units then occupied homes and set up sniper and rocket-propelled grenade positions for an ambush. When the rebels returned, a fierce exchange of rockets and mortar bombs ensued just outside Bin Jawad with the army also using heavy artillery.
Doctors at Ras Lanuf hospital said two dead and 22 wounded had arrived from the fighting. A French journalist was shot in the leg, a doctor said, and four rebels were seriously wounded.

In a French newspaper interview, Gadhafi said he was embroiled in a fight against Islamist “terrorism” and expressed dismay at the absence of support from abroad. “Our security services cooperate. We have helped you a lot these past few years. So why is it that when we are in a fight against terrorism here in Libya no one helps us in return?”

During a visit to Egypt, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, one of those pressing for a “no-fly” zone, said any international military intervention in Libya would have “absolutely negative” effects. “Given the possibility that the fighting could become bloodier, we must prepare ourselves to react, and that’s the reason why we have to plan for a flight interdiction zone over Libya,” Juppe said. – Agencies