Libyan rebels advance again
Libyan rebels today recaptured most of a strategic oil town that has repeatedly changed hands in weeks of battles.
There were bursts of artillery and shelling from Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in the west as rebels pushed into eastern sections of Brega.
“New Brega is under control of our forces and we are mopping up around the university,” said Lt. Muftah Omar Hamza, a former member of Libya’s air force.
Brega stretches out over several miles of the coast and is concentrated in three main sections: New Brega, a largely residential area on the east end; West Brega, which includes a refinery and housing for oil workers; and a university between them. West Brega was still contested.
The uprising that began in February against Gaddafi’s 42-year rule has reached a stalemate, with a series of towns along one stretch of Mediterranean coastline passing back and forth multiple times between the two sides.
Although the regime’s forces are more powerful and plentiful, they have been unable to decisively defeat a poorly equipped and badly organised rebel force backed by Nato airstrikes.
Rebel forces made up of defected army units and armed civilians have seized much of Libya’s eastern coast, but have been unable to push westward toward the capital, Tripoli.
“We’re advancing. By today we’ll have full control of Brega,” said Salam Idrisi, 42, a rebel fighter.
“We’re more organised now, and that’s played a big role.”
Meanwhile Italy recognised the rebel-led Libyan National Transitional Council as the country’s only legitimate voice, becoming only the third country, after France and Qatar, to do so.
After speaking with the council’s foreign envoy, Ali al-Essawi, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the only way to resolve the conflict in the former Italian colony is for Gaddafi to leave – along with his sons.
“They are leaders of the military operations against Libyans,” Mr Al-Essawi said, explaining why the council refuses to accept one of Gaddafi’s sons as Libya’s leader.
Mr Frattini also said proposals by a Libyan government envoy Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi, who met Greek officials yesterday, were “not credible” because nothing was said about Gaddafi’s departure.
Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas said that based on Mr al-Obeidi’s comments, “it appears that the regime is seeking a solution,” but few other details of the Athens talks were released publicly.
Gaddafi’s government has declared several cease-fires but has not abided by them, and the council says it will not negotiate with him or settle for less than his removal.
Yesterday Gaddafi’s forces pressed on with attacks against Misrata, the last key city in the western half of the country still largely under rebel control despite a weeks-long assault.
Government troops besieged civilian areas for around two hours with Grad rockets and mortar shells and lined a main street with snipers.
Two shells landed on a field hospital, killing one person and injuring 11. The attacks, including tank fire, began again after nightfall.
A Turkish ship carrying 250 wounded from Misrata docked in Benghazi, the rebels’ de facto capital, yesterday. The boat, which carried medical supplies, was also expected to pick up around 60 wounded people being treated in various hospitals in Benghazi, as well as 30 Turks and 40 people from Greece, Ukraine, Britain, Uzbekistan, Germany and Finland.
A military plane from Jordan landed in Benghazi today carrying medical supplies. A government spokesman promised: “This plane is just the beginning.”
