Rebels braced for Gaddafi attacks
Libyan rebels were today fortifying the town of Ajdabiya against a possible assault by Muammar Gaddafi’s advancing forces.
A rebel spokesman said “intermittent” fighting between the two sides was taking place on a 50-mile stretch of road between Ajdabiya and the oil port of Brega.
Control of Brega has been split between the rebels and regime forces after days of fierce clashes.
Recapturing Ajdabiya would give Gaddafi’s forces a significant boost as they continue to reverse the string of rebels’ military successes when they began a march from the opposition-held east of the country to the capital Tripoli.
Meanwhile Gaddafi's forces captured Zwara, the last rebel-held city west of Tripoli to fall back under government control.
Today’s victory solidifies Gaddafi’s hold on the western stretch of coastline from the capital to the Tunisian border.
Zwara was one of the first towns seized by the rebels as they made gains early in the month-long uprising against Gaddafi’s rule.
Rebels in Zwara said government troops retook the town after battering it with heavy tank and artillery fire, but sporadic street battles were continuing.
