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Deadly Clashes in Eastern Libya

   VOA News  April 17, 2011
   Libyan rebel fighters load a truck with ammunition on the outskirts of
   Ajdabiya

Photo: AP / Ben Curtis

   Libyan rebel fighters load a truck with ammunition on the outskirts of
   Ajdabiya, Libya, Saturday, April 16, 2011.

   Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi fired rockets at rebel
   positions near the eastern city of Ajdabiya Sunday.
   It is not immediately clear if there were any casualties from the
   shellings, which come a day after fighting west of the city left at
   least seven dead and 27 wounded.
   Fighting was reported Saturday in at least two other Libyan cities.
   Rebels clashed with pro-Gadhafi forces in the oil town of Brega.
   Witnesses also reported heavy fighting in the western city of Misrata.
   Rebels have accused pro-government forces of using dangerous cluster
   bombs in the city - a charge that pro-Gadhafi forces deny.
   A rebel spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that Mr. Gadhafi's
   forces fired at least 100 of the widely banned explosives into an
   industrial area of the city on Saturday.
   Cluster munitions explode into numerous smaller explosives that can
   cause widespread and indiscriminate destruction. They have been banned
   by most countries because they are so imprecise and dangerous. Libyan
   authorities have denied using the explosives.
   Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration says a second
   boat was scheduled to leave for Misrata Saturday to rescue stranded
   migrants. The relief group says the boat will also deliver hundreds of
   tons of humanitarian aid to Libya.
   The new clashes follow diplomatic efforts this past week to try to ease
   the conflict, including a NATO meeting in Berlin and a meeting in Cairo
   that included Arab, African and European delegates.

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