Libya: Fierce fighting for rebel-held Ras Lanuf Skip to main content

Libya: Fierce fighting for rebel-held Ras Lanuf

Libyan rebels in front the refinery oil complex in Ras Lanuf, Libya, on 11 March, 2011 Ras Lanuf has been held by rebels for several days
Intense fighting is reported in the Libyan town of Ras Lanuf between opposition fighters and forces loyal to leader Colonel Gaddafi.
Government warplanes bombed a refinery and a rebel checkpoint near the northern oil town, east of Tripoli.
There have been fierce battles in the town, forcing many rebels to retreat.
The Arab League is due to hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on Saturday to discuss supporting the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
The Libyan leader has sent his own representatives to the meeting, but the Arab League says they will not be allowed to attend.
On Friday, the US and the EU repeated their calls for Col Gaddafi to step down.
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However, EU leaders in Brussels stopped short of supporting a British and French initiative to impose a no-fly zone over the country, saying instead that they would "examine all necessary options" to protect civilians.
Ras Lanuf has been held by anti-Gaddafi forces for several days, but the BBC's Jon Leyne says Colonel Gaddafi's forces appear to be winning the battle for the town.
He says that if the town falls, it will bring the frontline closer to Benghazi, 300km away, which is the main opposition stronghold.
Earlier this week, pro-Gaddafi forces re-took the town of Zawiya, 30 miles (48km) west of Tripoli.
Foreign journalists allowed by the Libyan government into the town reported scenes of devastation, with virtually every building around the city's main square flattened or damaged by heavy fighting.
Reuters also reported strikes at Uqaylah and another bombing further east near Brega.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12721908

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