Rebels Beat Back Gadhafi Forces
By VOA
Rebel Libyan forces are reported to have beaten back Moammar Gadhafi’s forces in two towns.
In western Libya, loyalist troops withdrew from Zawiayah, 50 kilometers from Tripoli, after battling with rebels Saturday.
The rebels were able to overcome the Libyan military despite the military’s heavy artillery and tanks.
Rebels are also reported in control of the eastern oil port of Ras Lanuf, after battling Gadhafi loyalists Friday.
The number of casualties in the clashes in the towns was not immediately clear.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has launched an appeal of nearly $26 million to assist more than 200,000 people affected by the the crisis in Libya.
Meanwhile, Interpol has issued a global alert against Mr. Gadhafi and 15 other Libyan nationals, including some of his family members and close associates.
The alert comes after the International Criminal Court announced it has opened a probe against Mr. Gadhafi and some of his associates in possible crimes against humanity.
Libya’s unrest follows waves of demonstrations in other Middle Eastern and North African countries in recent weeks. Anti-government demonstrations have forced the long-time leaders of Tunisia and Egypt to step down. But Mr. Gadhafi has refused to budge, and the conflict in Libya has escalated.
