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Pro-Gadhafi Forces Launch Airstrike East of Ras Lanuf

   VOA News  March 07, 2011
   A rebel fighter runs into a car with a rifle in Ras Lanuf, Libya March
   6, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   A rebel fighter runs into a car with a rifle in Ras Lanuf, Libya March
   6, 2011

   Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi launched an airstrike on
   the  eastern outskirts of the rebel-held oil port of Ras Lanuf Monday,
   continuing  a  counter-offensive  against  those  trying to topple the
   government.
   News  agencies  reported  there  were  no  casualties  from the attack
   outside the oil port.
   Earlier  Monday,  residents  were  seen  leaving Ras Lanuf, fearing an
   attack  by  pro-Gadhafi  forces  after deadly assaults Sunday on other
   rebel-held cities.
   Foreign  journalists reported seeing families driving out of Ras Lanuf
   Monday and said there were very few rebels at checkpoints in the area.
   Journalists  evacuated  the  town's  main  hotel  in the early morning
   hours, after staff began warning guests about their safety.
   News  agencies  said  people  also were reportedly clearing out of the
   coastal city of Bin Jawwad, to the west of Ras Lanuf.
   The  reports  quoted  rebels  as saying they were regrouping following
   Sunday's  attacks  by  Gadhafi  loyalists  who  employed  tanks, jets,
   helicopter  gunships  and  heavy artillery to halt the rebels' advance
   toward the capital.
   Rebel  forces  retreated  to  Ras  Lanuf Sunday from Bin Jawwad, after
   being  ambushed  there  by pro-Gadhafi forces. Rebels had captured Bin
   Jawwad on Saturday, but then retreated, enabling pro-Gadhafi forces to
   occupy houses and mount Sunday's surprise attack.
   Retreating  fighters  said their forces advancing on Sirte - Gadhafi's
   hometown  - sustained significant casualties in the clashes. But rebel
   forces  were  said to have beaten back pro-Gadhafi forces in the towns
   of Zawiyah and Misrata.
   The  rebels  say  they  will continue fighting until they get to Sirte
   and, eventually, Tripoli.
   As  of  Sunday evening, the Libyan government retained full control of
   the  capital,  home  to two million of the country's approximately six
   million  people,  and  Sirte,  while most of the remaining key coastal
   cities were in rebel hands.
   Protests  against  Gadhafi erupted in mid-February, with demonstrators
   calling  for an end to his 42-year rule. The Libyan leader has refused
   demands to step down, at one point saying he expects to die a "martyr"
   in Libya.

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

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