Tripoli facing three-sided advance by Libyan rebels

[Lunabelle]

Source: The Guardian

Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year grip on power in Libya looked to be loosening on Friday night, with the capital facing rebel advances from three sides after opposition forces from the once-besieged town of Misrata dramatically broke out to seize Zlitan in the east.

With fresh operations launched to clear the last pro-Gaddafi troops out of the town of Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli, rebels now have the main coastal road under pressure on both sides of Tripoli and it is also under threat from the Nafusa mountains.

As the stranglehold on the capital grows, plans are being made to evacuate the last remaining foreign workers by sea.

It was a day of heavy street fighting in Zlitan, where rebels came up against tanks and troops from the 32nd brigade commanded by Khamis Gaddafi. Thirty-five rebel troops were killed and scores more injured.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/19/tripoli-facing-advance-libya-rebels

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Wow, this is big. Power to the people!