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US Pledges to Aid Libya Evacuations; Rebels Continue to Hold Key Oil Town

   VOA News  March 04, 2011

   International  efforts  are  underway  to help thousands of foreigners
   evacuate from Libya, while opposition rebels have held their ground in
   a key eastern oil town.
   During  a  White House event Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama said
   the  violence  in  Libya  must  end.   He  said Libyan leader Moammar
   Gadhafi has lost his legitimacy to lead and must leave.
   He also pledged U.S. support for those fleeing the violence in Libya.
   Meanwhile,  Libyan  rebels  maintained  control  in the town of Brega,
   about  800  kilometers  east  of the capital, Tripoli. The town is the
   site  of  a  key  oil  installation and the rebels held their position
   despite government airstrikes.

   The  popular  uprising  against Gaddafi's 41-year rule has knocked out
   nearly  50  percent  of  Libya's 1.6 million barrels of oil output per
   day.  The government says its refineries are operating normally.

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

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