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Libyan rebels 'fighting Gaddafi forces in Brega' | Libyan rebels 'fighting Gaddafi forces in Brega' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Libyan rebels say they are fighting Muammar Gaddafi's forces in residential areas of the eastern town of Brega. | Libyan rebels say they are fighting Muammar Gaddafi's forces in residential areas of the eastern town of Brega. |
Rebel forces have been advancing on Brega for several days despite heavy artillery fire from government troops holding the town. | Rebel forces have been advancing on Brega for several days despite heavy artillery fire from government troops holding the town. |
It has not been possible to verify the rebel claims. | It has not been possible to verify the rebel claims. |
The fall of the town, home to one of Libya's biggest oil facilities, would be a major breakthrough for anti-Gaddafi forces, correspondents say. | The fall of the town, home to one of Libya's biggest oil facilities, would be a major breakthrough for anti-Gaddafi forces, correspondents say. |
Brega, about 750km (465 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, has changed hands several times in the fighting along Libya's Mediterranean coast since the rebellion began in February. | Brega, about 750km (465 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, has changed hands several times in the fighting along Libya's Mediterranean coast since the rebellion began in February. |
"Some small groups have made it inside, but we do not control the whole [town] yet," Mohammed Zawi, a spokesman for the rebel forces, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. | |
"It is now close fighting," he said. | |
Three rebel fighters were killed and 96 wounded on Sunday, the agency quoted medical staff as saying - bringing the overall rebel toll since fighting began to 15 dead and 274 wounded. | |
Earlier another rebel spokesman, Mohammed al-Rajaly, told AP news agency that his forces had liberated the north-eastern half of the city and were moving against government forces in the south-western part. | |
Reuters reports that Nato aircraft have been targeting pro-Gaddafi forces near Brega in recent days, reporting hits on armoured vehicles and rocket launchers near the town. | Reuters reports that Nato aircraft have been targeting pro-Gaddafi forces near Brega in recent days, reporting hits on armoured vehicles and rocket launchers near the town. |
Nato said its warplanes hit a military storage facility containing tanks, armoured personnel carriers and ammunition in Tripoli's eastern outskirts early on Sunday. | |
Col Gaddafi has refused to step down. In a speech on Saturday, he described the rebels as traitors and rejected suggestions that he was about to leave the country. | Col Gaddafi has refused to step down. In a speech on Saturday, he described the rebels as traitors and rejected suggestions that he was about to leave the country. |
His speech came a day after Western and Arab powers said the rebel leadership was the legitimate government of Libya and repeated their demand that Col Gaddafi and his family should give up power. | His speech came a day after Western and Arab powers said the rebel leadership was the legitimate government of Libya and repeated their demand that Col Gaddafi and his family should give up power. |