Explosion in Tripoli as rebels seize town

Explosion in Tripoli as rebels seize town

Rebel forces were said to have seized a town in the west of Tripoli driving out Gaddafi’s forces as loud explosions shook the city early on Tuesday in what appeared to be a step up by NATO on the Libyan capital in the fight to oust Gaddafi.

Explosions were heard in Tripoli on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

This was said to be the latest in several rounds of bombings in the last two days.

Report said al-Karama neighbourhood was hit by NATO forces destroying a telecommunication station.

The report said: “The crusading colonial aggressor this evening hit and destroyed a communications centre west of Tripoli, severing land communications in some areas. The station is civilian."

Rebel forces progress

The Rebels presently control the east of Libya, the western city of Misrata and the range of mountains near the border with Tunisia.

However, rebels have been unable to advance on the capital against Gaddafi's better-equipped forces, despite NATO air strikes.

Rebels seized Yafran, 100 km (60 miles) southwest of Tripoli, on Monday after British warplanes destroyed two tanks and two armoured personnel carriers on June 2.

Avoiding civilian casualties

In a statement, Libyan Deputy Prime Minister, Khaled Kaim, said that government forces could retake rebel territory in hours, but were holding back from doing so to avoid civilian casualties.

More attacks

NATO attack helicopters were in action in the east on Sunday.

Britain's Defence Ministry confirmed that apaches destroyed a rocket launcher system on the coast near the eastern town of Brega.

A French military source also said French planes and helicopters had been in Libya every night since Friday, but gave no details.

Gaddafi's forces fired rockets into the rebel-held town of Ajdabiyah in the east on Monday and clashes broke out on the main road further west, a source said.

Gaddafi's troops and the rebels have been in stalemate for weeks, with neither able to hold territory on a road between Ajdabiyah and the Gaddafi-held oil town of Brega, further west.

The new deployment of the helicopters is part of a plan to step up military operations to break the deadlock.
 
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Critics have said NATO has gone far beyond its UN mandate to protect civilians.

In a report on Monday, the International Crisis Group (ICG) urged the rebels and their NATO allies to propose a ceasefire.

"The (rebels) and their NATO supporters appear uninterested in resolving the conflict through negotiation. To insist, as they have done, on Gaddafi's departure as a precondition...is to prolong the military conflict and deepen the crisis. Instead, the priority should be to secure an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on a transition,” it said.

Western governments and rebels said a combination of NATO air strikes, diplomatic isolation and grassroots opposition would eventually bring an end to Gaddafi's rule.

But Gaddafi declared he has no intention of stepping down.

He insisted he was supported by all Libyans apart from a minority of "rats" and al Qaeda militants, saying that NATO intervention was designed to steal Libya's abundant oil.

NATO to step up involvement

In Brussels, NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen sidestepped questions on whether more helicopters were needed, but said he would repeat calls for NATO allies to step up involvement during a NATO defence ministers meeting this week.

"In general terms, I will request broad support for our operation in Libya, if possible increase contributions, if possible more flexible use of the assets provided," he said.

NATO last week decided to extend operations in Libya for another 90 days, or until the end of September.

Spanish Foreign Minister, Trinidad Jimenez will travel to the Libyan city of Benghazi to meet rebel leader, Mustafa Abdel Jalil on Wednesday, her ministry said in a statement on Monday.

REUTERS/Shakira/Williams