Intense fighting in Libyan cities !

Dictator Gaddafi's Forces  and opposition backed forces are locked in intense fighting for control of several cities and towns across Libya. Nearly month-long uprising is threatening to end Dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's more than 41-year-old rule.Some of the fiercest fighting is taking place in the oil rich city of Az-Zawiyah which is 50km west of the capital Tripoli ( Tripoli is Where Gaddafi is Hiding).


"The revolutionaries (Oppostion) control the centre of Zawiyah and Dictator Gadhafi's forces are surrounding it. It's 50-50, anybodies victory" a resident who fled the city said."There was no one in the streets, the town is completely deserted, and there are snipers on the roofs," he said, adding that he did not know which side they were on.


Forces loyal to Gaddafi say they have wrested the city from the hands of rebels, a claim denied by those ranged against the Libyan Dictator.Any independent confirmation of the claims and counter-claims, however, is difficult since  is difficult since journalists are unable to reach the city due to bombs dropped in these cities by Gaddafi.


But residents said the city had been under sustained attack from Dictator Gaddafi baberic forces whic hwere aided by tanks and war planes.There are also reports of fighting raging in the eastern port city of Ras Lanuf, where an oil installation has gone up in flames.Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland, reporting from the frontline, described a steady volley of mortar and rocket fire, blanketing the sky with dark smoke, turning day to night.


"Pro-Gaddafi forces unleash a savage counter-offencive against the town of Ras Lanuf," Rowland said. "Rebel fighters sitting on the ground are vulnerable, and they know it."The rebel fighters are largely inexperienced. Abdul Razik Bubakar, 32, car mechanic who has joined anti-Gaddafi forces, told the AP news agency that he is learning how to use anti-aircraft gun on the fly."I didn't know anything about it. I just learnt in two or three days. Now I know how to use it, thanks to God. Now I am really quick using it, cleaning it and fixing it," said Bubakar. 



"Maybe I don't have enough knowledge for this, but when I do it, thanks to God, it works out."


The battles are raging as rebels pile on pressure on the international community to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to cripple Gaddaf's air force.While several world powers have backed such a measure, the modalities are yet to be worked out with Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, saying such a move should be driven by the United Nations and not the United States.


NATO and European Union are beginning fresh talks on a no-fly zone on Thursday.Amid such discussions, Gaddafi has launched his own diplomatic effort, sending emissaries to Brussels and Cairo.


Meanwhile, Britain has condemned the arrest and torture of three BBC journalists in Libya, saying it was more proof of atrocities committed by Gaddafi's regime.