Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Libya Rebels Say Position Hit by NATO Airstrike

   Olcay Rached  April 07, 2011
   Medics treat an injured rebel fighter at the hospital in Ajdabiyah,
   Libya, April 7, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   Medics treat an injured rebel fighter at the hospital in Ajdabiyah,
   Libya, April 7, 2011

   Libyan rebels say a NATO airstrike hit a rebel position near the
   eastern town of Brega Thursday, wounding several fighters.
   Rebels have been battling forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
   to retake control of the oil town, which has gone from rebel to regime
   control and back again several times during the conflict.
   Rebel leaders have recently criticized NATO for failing to protect
   civilians and for not striking military forces quickly or forcefully
   enough.
   Meantime, officials say an international contact group including the
   United States, European and Middle East allies will meet in Qatar next
   week to discuss the military intervention in Libya.
   The French news agency, AFP, reports France is also trying to convince
   the African Union to send representatives to the meeting on April 13.
   Colonel Gadhafi appealed directly to U.S. President Barack Obama
   Wednesday to stop the NATO air campaign. A rambling three-page letter
   the Libyan leader urged Obama to stop what he called an "unjust war
   against a small people."
   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dismissed the appeal and reiterated
   U.S. and NATO demands that there be a cease-fire, that loyalist forces
   withdraw from cities and that Gadhafi give up power.
   U.N. Secretary Ban Ki-moon expressed particular concern about the
   situation in the western city of Misrata, where pro-Gadhafi forces have
   been firing rockets and other heavy artillery to battle rebel fighters.
   Ban said Wednesday residents trapped by the military shelling are
   unable to receive basic supplies, including clean water, food and
   medicine.
   Libya's deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said a British airstrike
   hit a major oil field Wednesday, killing three security guards. But an
   oil official in the rebel-controlled east told Reuters Thursday there
   was no strike at the Sarir oil field, but that pro-Gadhafi forces had
   attacked the area.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

   Follow our Middle East reports on [1]Twitter
   and discuss them on our [2]Facebook page.

References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMidEast
   2. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

.