A Libyan rebel celebrates after they retake the eastern town of Brega on Wednesday. Muammar Qaddafi's forces launched another attack on Thursday and the rebels are said to be holding on. (AP)
By MOHAMMED ABBAS | REUTERS
BREGA: Muammar Qaddafi’s forces struck at rebel control of oil export hubs in Libya’s east for a second day on Thursday as Arab states weighed a plan to end turmoil Washington said could make the country “a giant Somalia.”
A leader of the uprising against Qaddafi’s 41-year-old rule said he would reject any proposal for talks with Qaddafi to end the conflict in the world’s 12th largest oil exporting nation.
Witnesses said a warplane bombed the eastern oil terminal town of Brega, a day after troops loyal to Qaddafi launched a ground and air attack on the town that was repulsed by rebels spearheading a popular revolt against his four-decade-old rule.
The rebels, armed with rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns and tanks, called on Wednesday for UN-backed air strikes on foreign mercenaries it said were fighting for Qaddafi.
But perhaps mindful of a warning by Qaddafi that foreign intervention could cause “another Vietnam,” Western officials expressed caution about any sort of military involvement including the imposition of a no-fly zone.
A rebel officer said government air strikes targeted the airport of Brega and a rebel position in the nearby town of Ajdabiyah, referring to two rebel-held locations.
Opposition soldiers also said troops loyal to Qaddafi had been pushed back to Ras Lanuf, home to another major oil terminal and 600 km (375 miles) east of Tripoli.
“Qaddafi’s forces are in Ras Lanuf,” Mohammed Al-Maghrabi, a rebel volunteer, told Reuters, echoing comments by others.
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