Last rebel held city in west set to fall to Gaddafi troops

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Channel 4 News Wednesday 09 March 2011

Tens of tanks and reported air strikes on Zawiyah have pushed rebels back to the city's main square as Gaddafi troops look to secure the whole of West Libya.

The rebel held town of Zawiyah is on the brink of falling to pro-Gaddafi forces as tanks closed in on the main square. One eye-witness told Reuters: "We can see the tanks, the tanks are everywhere." Zawiyah is the only rebel held town left in the West of Libya and therefore a priority for Gaddafi.

One eye witness, Ibrahim, said: "There are many dead people and they can't even bury them. Zawiyah is deserted. There's nobody on the streets. No animals, not even birds in the sky."

"Zawiyah as you knew it no longer exists. They have been attacking the town from 10 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening."

Read more: http://www.channel4.com/news/last-rebel-held-city-in-west-set-to-fall-to-gaddafi-troops

[xchrom]

1. Very sad. Nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. I have been chastized here for saying the issue was still in doubt

I hoped to be wrong and that Gaddafi would far early and bloodlessly. It is not happening

[NHDemProg]

3. So why are they still saying Ghadaffi might be leaving?

Or does anyone just simply not know?

[Warren Stupidity]

5. where is he going to go?

if he leaves Libya he will soon be arrested as a war criminal. The Hague has a cell waiting for him.

[David__77]

4. Sounds like it's really in flux.

Gaddafi forces take rebel town in west

TRIPOLI, March 9 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi recaptured Zawiyah on Wednesday after a fierce attack on the closest rebel-held city to the capital Tripoli, residents said.

Libyan state television showed footage of Gaddafi supporters waving flags in what it said was a celebratory march in Zawiyah and a rebel fighter told Reuters pro-Gaddafi forces had driven rebels from their stronghold in the central square.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72802920110309?sp=true

(If the Tripoli authorities cannot rely on the support of even a significant minority of the local population, then this will be transient.)