Reply #46: Libyan rebels get diplomatic, military boost

[pinboy3niner]

Source: Washington Post

Libyan rebels get diplomatic, military boost


By Liz Sly and Karen DeYoung, Monday, April 4, 10:49 PM


TRIPOLI, Libya — Rebels fighting government forces in eastern Libya were bolstered on Monday by newdiplomatic recognition and gains on the battlefield as a bid by the government to resolve the country’scrisis by replacing Moammar Gaddafi with one of his sons appeared to fizzle amid internationalskepticism.

Italy became the third country after France and Qatar to recognize the opposition Transitional National Council as Libya’s legitimate government, and Kuwait said it expected to follow suit in the coming days.

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In eastern Libya, there were reports that rebels had retaken most of the oil town of Brega, the front line in the seesawing battle for control of a stretch of coastal towns strung between Ajdabiya, about 100 miles south of Benghazi, and Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte, 278 miles east of Tripoli.

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Rebel officials also expressed concern about a mysterious explosion at a rebel-held oil field in Misla, about 250 miles south of Ajdabiya. The blast occurred after a four-wheel-drive vehicle was seen moving around the area, raising suspicions of sabotage by Gaddafi forces. The interim government is hoping to use the oil fields that have fallen under its control as a source of revenue to run its section of the country and to procure arms.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/rebels-get-diplomatic-military-

boost/2011/04/04/AFnRmrfC_story.html