Libyan rebels claim victory in battle for Brega

[al bupp]

Source: BBC

Libyan rebels say they are largely in control of the key eastern town of Brega, after close fighting in residential areas.

...

"The bulk of Gaddafi's forces have retreated to Ras Lanuf," rebel spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah told AFP news agency.

He said streets were littered with "an extraordinary number of anti-personnel mines", making it hard to fully secure the area.

The remnants of Col Gaddafi's troops in the town - believed to number about 150 to 200 - are holed up in industrial buildings with dwindling supplies, he added.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14180293

[pampango]

1. Aljazeera: use of land mines a new tactic

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/2011718131010939797.html

Libyan rebels have claimed victory against troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the country's leader, inside the eastern port town of Brega. The rebels said Gaddafi's troops were retreating west towards the town of Ras Lanuf.

He said the streets of Brega have "an extraordinary number of anti-personnel mines", making it hard to secure the area. ... Omar El-Hariri, the designated Minister of Military Affairs for the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya, told Al Jazeera that the "landmines a new tactic by Gaddafi, because he is desperate."

Russia criticised the United States and other countries on Monday for recognising the rebel leadership as the legitimate government of Libya, saying they were taking sides in the rebellion to oust Gaddafi.

"Those who declare recognition stand fully on the side of one political force in a civil war," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow. ... While the US, UK and France have taken a stronger line towards Gaddafi, Russia and China have taken a softer line, with both countries not attending the contact group meeting.