3 March 2011
Forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi have launched a fresh air strike against the rebel-held town of Brega, residents say, one day after clashes between rebels and pro-regime fighters killed at least 12 people.
“Around two hours ago, warplanes dropped a bomb in the area between the oil company and the residential area,” Fattah al-Moghrabi, director of supplies for Brega hospital, told AFP. “As far as I know, there was no casualties,” he added.
Other people at the hospital also confirmed a strike.
Opponents say at least 12 people died in the fighting yesterday as anti-Kadhafi forces repelled a offensive on the oil town of Brega.
International pressure has been mounting for opposing a no-fly zone to stop Kadhafi from attacking his own people.
However, Nato has no intention of intervening in Libya but is planning for “all eventualities”, alliance chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday.
Rasmussen said at a press conference that NATO officials “take note” of a request from the Libyan opposition for foreign nations to launch airstrikes against mercenaries hired by Moamer Kadhafi. Opponents control the eastern coast and parts of Libya’s west, but Kadhafi remains in control of the capital.
Speaking on state television, Kadhafi warned that the “battle will be very, very long” if foreign powers intervened. Separately, three Dutch soldiers were taken prisoner at the weekend by armed men loyal to Kadhafi during an operation to evacuate civilians.
In Caracas, officials said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Kadhafi had discussed plans for an international peacekeeping mission to mediate the crisis in Libya. No further details were offered of the talks between the close allies.
“We do confirm that Comandante Chavez had a conversation with Kadhafi yesterday (Tuesday) on a Peace Commission for Libya proposal,” Communications Minister Andres Izarra tweeted.
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