NORTH AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST CRISIS:LIBYAN REBELS were under intensifying pressure last night as forces loyal to Col Muammar Gadafy launched new offensives on several fronts to regain control of key rebel-held towns and oil facilities, and international efforts to mediate an end to the fighting had appeared to run into the sand.
However, last night Libyan deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim said the government had accepted a peace initiative put forward by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
His statement followed an apparent rejection of the plan by Saif al Islam, a son of Muammar Gadafy, who said on Thursday he appreciated the offer but there was no need for help from Venezuela.
Mr Kaim said the Chavez initiative stated a committee would be formed by African, Asian and Latin American countries “to help the international dialogue and to help the restoration of peace and stability”.
“We have said that Libya has accepted the initiative of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela,” Mr Kaim told reporters. It is unclear if the plan would be acceptable to all sides.
Some of the fiercest clashes since the uprising began took place yesterday in rebel-controlled Zawiyah, about 50km west of Tripoli, according to Arab media reports. Al-Arabiya television quoted a local doctor saying at least 13 people were killed there, and al-Jazeera gave a figure of 50 dead and more than 300 wounded.
The leader of the rebels in Zawiyah, Col Husein Darbouk, was among those killed when his position was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Following attacks including an artillery bombardment by mercenaries and militia in Gadafy’s pay, the rebels were said last night to be pinned down in the central square. State media predicted the town would fall by today.
A witness inside Zawiyah said the assault began at around 10am from the west, when government-controlled forces in pick-up trucks entered the city. “There has been fighting here all day,” he said. “We are in a very difficult position. They have snipers and have used mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.”
Although at least a squadron of modern tanks belonging to the brigade controlled by Gadafy’s son Khamis was outside the city with eight Grad missile launchers, he had seen no tanks used in the fighting. “I managed to get down to the square and visit the hospital at the mosque. I think there have been 25-30 people killed, but I think it may be more. There are those who have been killed who could not be reached. They came in the morning while people were going about their business and opened fire.”
Assaults and bombing raids by pro-Gadafy forces were also reported in the east of the country, which is mostly under opposition control. An oil facility at Zueitina, south of Benghazi, was on fire.
Rebel militia defending parts of the strategically vital coast road between Benghazi and the capital said a missile attack by a government warplane just missed a rebel-held military base which houses a large ammunition dump in the northeastern town of Ajdabiyah.
But Gadafy’s forces did not have it all their own way. Clashes between rebels and government loyalists broke out on the outskirts of the oil town of Ras Lanuf, around 130km west of Brega.
Columns of rebel trucks poured along the road towards the Gadafy stronghold and anti-government forces were digging in west of areas they had liberated. They said the move west was not yet part of a concerted push towards Tripoli.
“That may come later,” said one rebel captain, a former member of the Libyan army. “But only if the people there can’t do it themselves.” Anti-aircraft guns thundered as the rebels haphazardly showed off their weapons. There were no air force jets in this area, largely because of a raging sandstorm reducing visibility.
Rebel leaders in Benghazi said they were not expecting an attack soon. However, they are fortifying positions in Benghazi and Ajdabiyah in preparation for what many are increasingly seeing as the beginnings of a civil war.
Anticipated large-scale clashes in Tripoli failed to materialise after pro-Gadafy forces swiftly broke up protests after Friday prayers in the mainly anti-Gadafy Tajoura district. Teargas was used and shots were reportedly fired.
At one point security forces confronted a group waving a tricolour flag – a symbol of the revolt – and forced members to disperse. Gadafy supporters, bussed in, threw stones at the retreating protesters.
The rest of the city appeared tense but calm. There was heavy security at Algiers Square, near the centre.
The day also brought growing concern that Libyans in rebel-held areas may soon face serious shortages of food and medicine. Many shops are said to be running short of supplies, or not opening at all, as transportation links are disrupted. – (Guardian service)