Heavy clashes erupt in western Libya

Date:

spot_imgspot_img

BIR AYAD, Libya: Heavy clashes between rebels and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi broke out on Saturday on the front line in Libya’s Western Mountains at the town of Bir Ghanam, as insurgents seek to push towards Tripoli.

Sustained gunfire and volleys of artillery could be heard from the village of Bir Ayad, 15 km south of Bir Ghanam. Rebels at Bir Ghanam hold the high ground on the outskirts of the town, their closest position to the capital, Tripoli, about 80 km away.

Ahmed, a rebel fighter in Bir Ayad, said a convoy of about 15 vehicles from Gaddafi’s forces tried to approach Bir Ghanam, but the rebels fired at it and the convoy retreated after a about an hour of shooting.

Rebels in the Western Mountains have made steady progress in recent weeks after repelling assaults by Gaddafi’s forces. Their target is the town of Garyan, which controls the highway south from Tripoli.

But the rebels have been hampered by divisions,ill-discipline and supply problems.

Rebel leaders won recognition as the legitimate government of Libya from the United States and other world powers yesterday in a major boost to the insurgents’ campaign to oust Gaddafi.

Western nations said they also planned to increase the military pressure on Gaddafi’s forces to press him to give up power after 41 years at the head of the North African state.

Recognition of the rebels, announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a meeting in Turkey of the international contact group on Libya, is an important diplomatic step that could unlock billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds.

The decision came as reports circulated Gaddafi had sent out emissaries seeking a negotiated end to the conflict, although he remains defiant in his public utterances. In a speech on Saturday evening broadcast as thousands of his loyalists rallied in street demonstrations, Gaddafi rejected international recognition of the rebels.

”Trample on those recognitions, trample on them under your feet,” he told his supporters. ”They are worthless.”

He said he enjoyed the support of millions of Libyans who yearned for death, martyrdom and suicide.

The Istanbul conference attended by more than 30 countries and world bodies also agreed on a road map whereby Gaddafi should relinquish power and plans for Libya’s transition to democracy under the rebel National Transitional Council, or TNC. ”Until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognize the TNC as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis,” Clinton said. (PTI)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Changing weather conditions driving H3N2 cases in Delhi-NCR: Experts

New Delhi, Sep 17: Changing weather conditions are driving influenza A strain H3N2 cases in Delhi-NCR, said health...

Indian Army restores vital road connectivity in J&K’s Ramban with 150-foot reinforced Maitra Bridge

Jammu, Sep 17: Days after heavy rainfall created havoc in several districts of J&K's Jammu region, including Ramban,...

Ahead of Bihar polls, ECI introduces colour photos, larger serial numbers on EVM ballot papers to boost clarity

New Delhi, Sep 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced a major revamp of Electronic...

Smriti Mandhana slams second fastest women’s ODI ton by Indian batter

New Chandigarh, Sep 17: Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana registered the second-fastest century by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs...