Libyan Rebels Have Advanced Into Two Strategic Towns
Libyan rebels have reportedly advanced into two strategic towns controlling access to the capital, Tripoli, from the west and the south.
Fighting was reported in the town of Zawiya, 30 miles west of Tripoli, and Gharyan, 160 miles to the south.
A statement released by Col Muammar Gaddafi’s government said both towns remained “under our full control”.
If the towns is taken over by the rebels, they would have Tripoli completely surrounded by land, with Nato blocking access to the sea.
News coming out off Zawiya reports battles continuing between rebels and government forces a day after rebels pushed into the town in a climatic advance.
Rebel fighters raised their red, green and black flag over the central market of the town on Sunday, but gunshots and explosions could still be heard in the town.
The rebels say pro-Gaddafi gunmen were seen on high buildings shooting at them.
The city was briefly held by rebel forces early in the uprising against Col Muammar Gaddafi’s rule this year but they were driven out by tanks and suffered heavy casualties. Last week, hundreds of rebels pushed out of the Nafusa Mountains in the west, down towards the towns of the coastal plain in an offensive aimed at ending months of deadlock.
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