Dubai: Clashes between Libyan rebels and supporters of ruler Muammar Gaddafi on the front line in Bin Jawad killed two people and wounded dozens more on Sunday, doctors in the next town into the rebel-held east told AFP.
"Two people died, and around 30 were injured. Three of them are in a critical situation," said Abdrabou Al Zheiti, a doctor at Ras Lanuf hospital. "There are still people arriving."
A second doctor spoke of more casualties, including a French journalist, who was not believed to be in a serious condition. "We have two dead and 40 to 45 wounded," said Sami Al Saiti. "They are Libyan rebels, except the French man."
Rebel forces retreated from Bin Jawad following the clashes in which their fighters said they had been heavily outgunned. Libyan helicopter gunships fired on a rebel force advancing west toward the capital Tripoli along the country's Mediterranean coastline and forces loyal to Gaddafi engaged in intense ground battles with the rival fighters.
Air attacks
Fierce ground battles were raging around the front line between two towns about 30 miles apart, Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad to the west.
The reporters witnessed air attacks by helicopters on the rebel forces and heavy fighting on the ground. A warplane also attacked a small military base at Ras Lanuf and destroyed three hangars and a small building.
Regime forces shelled rebel positions at Ras Lanuf with rockets and artillery. Ambulances sped toward the town and rebels moved trucks carrying multi-rocket launchers toward the front lines.
Gulf News correspondents in Libya confirm that Ras Lanuf is under the control of the anti-Gaddafi forces. They denied a Libya state TV report that the oil rich city was captured by Gaddafi forces.
Earlier, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces recaptured the important coastal cities of Zawiyah and Misrata from rebels, state television said on Sunday.
It said government forces were also heading for Libya's second largest city Benghazi in the country's east.
Earlier reports also said that Libyan rebels were advancing from the east on Gaddafi's hometown Sirte and have clung to positions in a western town near the capital Tripoli after withstanding two armoured assaults by government forces.
Intense gunfire was heard in the centre of Tripoli early on Sunday. It was unclear who was shooting or what had caused it. Witnesses also heard much honking of car horns.
As the violence continued, the UAE said on Saturday said that it has taken all necessary measures to halt the export of four-wheel drive vehicles to Libya, according to a WAM report.
The Foreign Ministry's statement comes in the wake of allegations that four-wheel drive vehicles from the UAE are being used by pro-government forces in the fighting.
Jumaa Mubarak Al Junaibi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE was following the developments in Libya with deep concern and has called for an end to the bloodshed.
Diplomat captured
Meanwhile, British special forces unit and a junior diplomat were being held by rebels in eastern Libya The Sunday Times newspaper said.
The broadsheet, citing sources, said the Special Air Service soldiers, thought to be up to eight men, were captured along with the diplomat they were escorting through the rebel-held east.
Foreign Office spokeswoman said they can neither confirm nor deny the report.
Scores killed
A doctor in Zawiyah, west of Tripoli, said at least 30 people, mostly civilians, were killed during fighting on Saturday that wrecked the town centre, raising to at least 60 the death toll from two days of battles.
Almost 600km to the east along Libya's Mediterranean coast, insurgents said they took the town of Bin Jawad, on the heels of seizing the oil port of Ras Lanuf, and were thrusting westwards towards Sirte.
Some rebels said an assault on Sirte was imminent.
"We're going to attack Sirte, now," rebel fighter Mohammad Salim told Reuters, while another fighter, Mohammad Fathi, said: "Listen, we have no organisation and no military plan. We go where we're needed."
"If Benghazi (rebels) can expand down into the Gulf of Sirte ... they've got a very good shot at independence at the least -- or maybe even overturning him at the most," said Peter Zeihan, analyst with the US-based Stratfor intelligence newsletter.
Gaddafi interview
In a French newspaper interview, Gaddafi said he was embroiled in a fight against Islamist terrorism and expressed dismay at the absence of support from abroad.
"I am surprised that nobody understands that this is a fight against terrorism," Gaddafi told le Journal du Dimanche.
"Our security services cooperate. We have helped you a lot these past few years. So why is it that when we are in a fight against terrorism here in Libya no one helps us in return?"
Western leaders have denounced what they call Gaddafi's brutal response to the uprising, and the International Criminal Court said he and his inner circle face investigation for alleged targeting of civilians by his security forces.
Gaddafi said war would engulf the Mediterranean if the insurrection in Libya, inspired by revolts that toppled despots in nearby Egypt and Tunisia, succeeded.
"There would be jihad in front of you, in the Mediterranean," he said. "Bin Laden's people would come to impose ransoms on land and sea. We will go back to the time of Red Beard, of pirates, of Ottomans imposing ransoms on boats."
Gaddafi added that his government was "doing well" despite the turmoil and warned Europe against an influx of Libyan migrants to its shores if his foes drove him from power.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces continued their savage attack on the strategic western town of Zawiyah on Saturday as fierce fighting raged on other fronts, reports said.
Rebels seized control of Ras Lanuf where they downed two military helicopters, Al Arabiya television reported, citing rebel sources it did not identify. Witnesses say a Libyan jet fighter has crashed near the town but the cause of the crash was not known.
Rebels in east Libya moved in a convoy of pick-up trucks with anti-aircraft guns, advancing on Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.
For the second day, fighting continued in Zawiyah, 50km west of the capital Tripoli, with the rebels repelling two brutal assaults by government forces.
‘Real massacre'
A doctor in Zawiyah told Reuters at least 30 people, mostly civilians, were killed during fighting earlier yesterday, bringing the death toll to at least 60 from two days of fighting.
Residents said Gaddafi forces stormed into some residential buildings and killed people inside.
"This was a real massacre. The situation is catastrophic. They killed many people. They killed my daughter," another doctor told AFP.
The centre of the town bore signs of heavy fighting, with smouldering rubble, broken glass and one building completely torched.
The National Libyan Council in Benghazi named a three-man committee to manage military and foreign affairs. The rebels have set up local councils in cities they hold and intend to lead the country into an election.
Declaring the council the sole representative of the country, the members said it is not an interim government. "The council declares it is the sole representative all over Libya," former justice minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil told reporters.
Meanwhile, the US Navy said two vessels carrying Marines had departed an American base on Crete as part of a build-up around Libya.
