News / Africa
Fierce battles erupt in Libya
18 Aug 2011 at 06:50hrs | Views
Cairo/Tripoli - Fierce battles erupted overnight Wednesday between Libyan rebels and troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi over the control of Libya's only functioning oil refinery in the region of Zawiya, Arab satellite channels reported.
"Rebels are fighting a tough battle in the western frontline city of Zawiya, which plays an important role in supplying fuel for Tripoli and is one of Gaddafi regime's last sources of petrol and gas," Dubai-based Al Arabiya television said.
According to the channel, the rebels had surrounded the complex, and only a few of Gaddafi's loyalists remained inside.
Libyan rebels, who have been fighting since February to oust Gaddafi, made a dramatic advance Saturday out of their bases in the western mountains near Tunisia into Zawiya, just 50km from the Libyan capital Tripoli, which is Gaddafi's headquarters.
"Rebels are fighting a tough battle in the western frontline city of Zawiya, which plays an important role in supplying fuel for Tripoli and is one of Gaddafi regime's last sources of petrol and gas," Dubai-based Al Arabiya television said.
Libyan rebels, who have been fighting since February to oust Gaddafi, made a dramatic advance Saturday out of their bases in the western mountains near Tunisia into Zawiya, just 50km from the Libyan capital Tripoli, which is Gaddafi's headquarters.
Source - Sapa
