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    July 14, 2011

Libyan Rebels Retake Village Near Tripoli

   VOA News
   Libyan rebel fighters watch the border at the frontline of Al-Qawalish
   in the western mountains of Libya, after a battle with forces loyal to
   Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, July 14, 2011
   Photo: Reuters
   Libyan rebel fighters watch the border at the frontline of Al-Qawalish
   in the western mountains of Libya, after a battle with forces loyal to
   Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, July 14, 2011

   Libyan rebels are planning their next move after retaking a strategic
   village near Tripoli, while world powers are gathering in Turkey for
   talks on Libya's future.
   Rebels regained control of al-Qawalish on Wednesday, following bitter
   clashes with forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi.
   The opposition fighters have been trying to use the village, located
   about 100 kilometers south of Tripoli, to advance their efforts to gain
   control of a nearby highway that leads to the capital. Also, the French
   News Agency [AFP] quotes rebels as saying they are planning to launch
   an offensive on the oil town of Brega.
   Libyan Contact Group
   Meanwhile, representatives from more than 40 nations are gathering in
   Istanbul for the fourth Libyan Contact Group meeting.
   The group has been supporting the efforts of Libyan opposition leaders
   who are trying to oust Gadhafi's government. At a June meeting, the
   group pledged more than $1 billion to help the opposition and civilians
   affected by the conflict.
   U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is among the officials planning
   to attend Friday's session. Earlier this week, she said Gadhafi's days
   in power "are numbered" and the international community would soon
   increase the pressure on him to leave.
   In a separate development, Libya announced Thursday that it was cutting
   ties with Italy's oil sector because of the country's involvement in
   the NATO mission in Libya. The Italian energy company ENI has had a
   presence in Libya for decades.

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

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